Athletic is fine-tuning its preparations for tomorrow’s crucial match against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano. Still in recent news that Iker Muniain, its captain, will not continue in Bilbao next season; The red and white team held a new work session yesterday morning. Session that will continue this afternoon in the last training session before the clash against Simeone’s men.
Valverde continues to have problems with the sides facing the crossing at the Colchonero stadium. De Marcos, who returned to work with the group, was punished for the accumulation of cards. Yuri, the usual left-back, also did not train with his teammates yesterday because, surely, of the kick to his right ankle he suffered on Friday in the league match against Granada in San Mamés.
We will have to wait to see what happens this afternoon and find out what the Gasteiz coach calls for the match against Atlético to get a more exact idea of Athletic’s defensive situation. Hugo Rincón, behind promoted Bilbao Athletic, worked yesterday with the first team. This is not the first time the Navarrese player has gone up to train with the lions, although he is yet to make his debut in the First Division.
Alternatives
The composition of the starting defense in the Metropolitan is therefore at the expense of what Yuri’s final status is. Lekue, who is used to playing equally on both wings, will be the right back with his partner in the right physical condition. The problem will arise if the player from Zarautz cannot play against Atlético.
The natural replacement, left defender at left defender, is Imanol, but Gallarta’s men were not even called up on Friday against Granada. Valverde will also have the option of playing Hugo Rincón on the right wing and playing the versatile Lekue on the left. A bet that carries a certain risk due to Navarrese’s inexperience in elite football.
The double pivot
It will also be necessary to see what Valverde’s intentions are regarding the composition of the double pivot. Against Villarreal, shortly after winning the Cup final, the Gasteiz coach turned to the pair formed by Beñat Prados and Vesga. Galarreta, another regular, could not line up against Marcelino’s team because he was suspended.
Against Granada, however, the Eibartarran shared the central midfield tandem with Unai Gómez. Ander Herrera has had minutes off the bench in the last two league games while Dani García came on for the Prados against Villarreal. The latter and Vesga, for their part, spent the entire last game at home on the San Mamés bench.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
