Athletic wear the Txapela against Real

A lone goal from Mikel Vesga allowed Athletic to win yesterday’s Euskal Herriko Txapela against Real and become the first club to repeat the title of this unique trophy between different First Clubs. The lions, despite the misfortunes suffered throughout the encounter, ended up imposing their law against a rival who played with numerical inferiority from the 70th minute due to the dismissal of Rico, their left back. Bilbao’s goal was already up on the scoreboard by then.

Waiting for the outcome of the soap opera Iñigo Martínez (everything remains the same in this matter), absent from this appointment due to knee problems, and without the usual curiosity of the derbies between these two teams since changing sides now Atletico centre-back, football once again took center stage on a warm night in Lasesarre. Vivian and Yeray appeared at the heart of Bilbao’s defence, although the latter was only on the pitch until the break. Paredes replaced him in the second half.

Athletic is taking this penultimate match of the preseason seriously. Valverde also launched a clear warning to sailors: anyone resting on his laurels is waiting for the bank. Some changes in this derby eleven with respect to the last one in England are obviously significant.

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Not all, in any case, went well for the lions. Raúl García, who again acted as a striker, had to ask for a change after half-time due to a physical problem. Iñaki Williams thus returned to the center forward position, a position Villalibre ended up holding.

Notice to navigators

Valverde has varied his betting significantly in relation to last Saturday’s clash against Newcastle. Many of those who started in the starting eleven this time remained on the bench. The fine last minutes offered by the Lions at St James’ Park had their consequences.

Zarraga came on for Vencedor in a double pivot, Sancet acted as liaison in place of Munian, who remained on the bench, Iñaki Williams and Berenguer shared the interior and Raúl García acted as center forward. They are not the only variations for Valverde for this Lasesarre commitment, as Lekue and the recovered Yuri played on the wings at the expense of De Marcos and the injured Balenziaga.

Imanol, for his part, faced this final as the second part of a day that also included another friendly for his squad in Zubierta against Real. The coach from Oriotarra alternated the footballers who defined ownership at the start of the league. Get Kubo, Brais Méndez and the acquired Cárlos Álvarez to form Lasesarre’s eleven with Zubiaurre under the sticks.

Both opponents pressed from almost a center kick. Athletic’s pressure was more effective and resulted in some dangerous moves starring Iñaki Williams and Berenguer. It didn’t take long for Vesga to open the scoring either by extending a free-kick with a header that was superbly played by the Navarrese.

Real’s only warning of danger before the break came from overconfidence with the ball at Iru’s feet against Take Kubo, who was about to upset him. Sancet and Zarraga tried later.

Changes on the fly

La Real took a step forward at the restart against Athletic with Paredes on for Yeray. Raúl García also had to be replaced by Nico Williams due to injury. The rojiblancos gradually regained their lost tone against an opponent whose changes made them happy in attack. Karrikaburu, Brais and Illarramendi, in fact, had their options against Iru.

The Bilbao team, with De Marcos and Muniain also at grass level, replaced their defensive withdrawals with their offensive additions, hardly giving in to the pressure. The sending off of Rico in the 71st minute made things easier for the rojiblancos, although Real did not give up in their continued search for a draw late in the match with more changes at both sides. Vesga’s goal was enough, in any case, for Athletic to win the Euskal Herriko Txapela.

athletic

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Athletic:Athletic:Iru; Lekue (De Marcos 65′), Vivian, Yeray (Paredes 46′), Yuri; Zarraga (Dani García 82′), Vesga; Iñaki Williams, Sancet (Villalibre 82′), Berenguer (Muniain 65′); and Raúl García (Nico Williams 50′).

true: Zubiaurre; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Illarramendi (Urko González 76′); Take Kubo (Aranbarri 76′), Brais Méndez, Merino, Barrene (Rober Navarro 63′); and Carlos Álvarez (Karrikaburu 63′).

Purpose: 1-0: min. 22, Vega.

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Basque Committee). He sent off Rico in the 71st minute for double booking and booked Sancet, Le Normand, Yuri and Olasagasti.

view the game file