Athletic and Real Sociedad meet in San Mamés in one of the most European Basque derbies, as it arrives with both teams playing continental competition, the Europa League, and fighting to repeat the same success in this league season (follow the game live on As.com). There is no outside noise, no loud statements or players who have jumped the AP-8 and raised the ambient temperature. Yes, there is Gorosabel, but he went to Alava as a bridge stage and he is not a man that Anoeta misses much either. Both are separated by only two points, but the feeling is that the Bilbao team, which has made a tremendous start in the Europa League, placing itself among the eight best midway through the initial group, appears with better feelings. In the League it has also established itself in European places from the beginning and its progress is being steady, although with some bumps. They are chasing their fourth consecutive victory against their neighbor in the warmth of their people.
La Real is somewhat limping in the UEL and in the Spanish regularity tournament it is climbing positions. In fact, they would pass Athletic in the table to win tonight at La Catedral in the duel that is the most classic of the Basque derbies. Eye, There is a factor, in addition to the home team, that smiles on the lions: they never usually fail after a national team break. The Biscayans arrive at one of the season's events in San Mamés in full with Simón already available after overcoming the wrist injury for which he underwent surgery as soon as he returned from the Euro Cup that he won as the starting goal of a Spanish National Team with some more than tonight's protagonists. Valverde named 24 yesterday, with the discarding of Adama and Martón, and there are three goalkeepers, so Unai still has to go through one last procedure.
Yes ok The international goalkeeper has been brilliantly replaced, first by Padilla and then by Agirrezabala. Valverde has been recovering his strength during the week and Iñaki Williams, Sancet and Berenguer entered the squad. So, at least in terms of field players, Valverde will be able to start with his gala team. An eleven in which there are hardly any doubts beyond whether Sancet or Berenguer will be the playmaker depending on the recovery of the former, the one who seems to arrive the fairest. Likewise, we will have to see who the coach places next to Ruiz de Galarreta in the double pivot. Although the starter is Prados, Jauregizar also has options, called up during this break for the first time for the U-21.
Real Sociedad finds itself with the best of opportunities after the league break to confirm its improvement in the game, and especially in the results. A San Mamés that will be packed and, if it returns with the three points, it would overtake its biggest rival in the table and consolidate itself in the European positions. The protagonists of past times have already commented these days that the motivation of facing a derby is always an incentive, especially for a Real that has not won in San Mamés since December 31, 2020 (0-1).
After the controversial cup competition against Jove Español in which Imanol was able to rest the vast majority of regular starters (there were 13 absences from the first team), the Oriotarra will be able to present a very recognizable eleven to put up a fight against the red and white team. Causan baja Odriozola, Zakharyan, Orri Óskarsson and Traoré due to injury, in addition to González de Zárate, due to a technical decision.
The only doubts could lie on the team's left flank, both on the wing and on the wing. Muñoz and Javi López will fight for a place in the defense, while Sergio Gómez, Barrenetxea and Becker will want to convince their coach to be the ones who, most likely, accompany Oyarzabal and Kubo in the offensive trident.
Mikel Jauregizar
20
Jon Aramburu
4
Possession Repossessions
