Athletic face a golden opportunity to continue its participation in the 2024-25 Europa League. Lions host Elfsborg (San Mamés, 6:45 pm, with Georgian arbitration Giorgi Kruashvili) with the aim of adding a fourth victory in the League Phase and in this way sentence the pass at least to the play off round and even take a big step towards direct qualification for the round of 16.
To achieve this final goal, you must be among the top eight when the league ends on January 30 of the following year. A position that also avoids playing two round-trip matches of the previous qualifying round, good news in a season as busy as the current one with four competitions at stake. Now they are sixth with the same 10 points as four other teams, Ajax, Galatasaray, Frankfurt and Anderlecht, just two away from the only heartthrob, Lazio.
The group of Valverde He has an almost clean career. They won three games, AZ Alkmaar and Slavia Prague at home and Ludogorets away, and the draw on the first day came at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, always a complicated stage. After this afternoon’s match, there are three matches left, Fenerbahçe and Besiktas in Istanbul and Viktoria Plsen in Bilbao. A win this afternoon will help us focus on the League.
On the contrary, before us is a group in need. Elfsborg arrive in Bilbao having won the previous four rounds (Paphos, Sheriff, Rijeka and Molde) but have just four points in their League Phase locker after victory over Roma, a draw on the final day against Sporting Braga in home and two defeats, both away: AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray. The Swedes, unknown in Europe, are currently twenty-fourth, the last place that gives the right to compete in the play off round. His options are to achieve a positive result in La Catedral.
The team led by the 32-year-old Oscar Hiljemark He was seventh in the Swedish League that ended on November 10. Those from the city of Boras finished with 45 points in their locker, very far from the champion, Malmö, and also far from the second place that allows them to compete in the qualification. Michael Baidoothe companion of Inaki Williams In the Ghana national team, he is their top scorer with ten goals in the regular tournament and three in the second continental competition.
Changes to eleven
Valverde He will make changes to his eleven after playing on Sunday against Real and three days after visiting Vallecas. The question is whether he will continue betting Julen Agirrezabala on purpose or if it provides an alternative to First Simon after making his debut in a derby call-up. It looks like a good game for the international to make his debut this season. Gorosabel He appeared as a right back (he started three of the four continental matches and De Marcos played the entire match against Txuri Urdin) along with Adam on the other side of the defense due to the loss of Yuri. Walls He will return to the team after taking a break from a previous commitment, partnering with Vivian either Yes and ahead like It has been fixed because he will not be able to play against Rayo due to the suspension. Galarretta either Jauregize They will accompany you to the engine room. Berenguer may enter the midfield instead Sancet and Guruzeta up to the same Williams on each side of the attack. A team that will leave Europe on the right track.
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Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
