It does not admit any discussion that, with the two European teams and candidates to stamp the passport again, it was one of the worst derbies in memory. A very low level of football and a duel with hardly any chances. But this is no excuse, because there is none. In this scenario, simply the one that existed, Athletic always seemed better. And the worst of all is that, as happened in previous years, this time he didn’t need to plug in or complete a good performance to win the day. They had a plan, which was the one that was put on the field of play, and Real still do not know the idea with which they wanted to impose their law in Bilbao.
In the previous three years The rojiblancos were clearly superior, but this time they didn’t need it. They played to the point, without pressing as far forward as they usually do to wait for the blue and white’s mistakes, and it didn’t take long for them to arrive one after another. In short, and on the cover, a Real team unworthy of a derby. Without any of their players capable of reaching the pass. A regrettable global and individual performance. And if they are going to make it a tradition to travel to Bilbao and lose, let them look at it, because they have to know that we are no longer very aware of whether they suffer a lot, but we not only have a bad time, but it doesn’t make us no grace
19
Athletic – Real Sociedad: Mikel Recalde’s notes
Mikel Recalde
They can now take such a regrettable streak much more seriously, with three failed results when in the first two years they finished well above in the table. They have no forgiveness when it rains on a stage and in a meeting in which so many emotions and sensitivities come into play. A goal by Sancet midway through the first half when he took advantage of a cross from Nico ended up sentencing a duel that promised a lot but was light years away from being a high-flying derby as was assumed and expected. A shame. And a lot of anger.
Imanol had twelve players to form an eleven. Ten were permanent, you had to choose a discard. And the chosen one was Brais Méndez. Debatable and debatable, especially when the Galician has been training for two weeks in Zubieta and is one of the strongest members of his praetorian guard. The rest, as expected.
It was soon seen that It was not a question of names, but of intensity and drive.. This is a derby and Real does not know how to play in San Mamés. Or you have forgotten. The realistic team seems to come out without a convincing plan. Or certainly one that makes Athletic uncomfortable. But not only that, he did not transmit at any time the convincing and overwhelming sensations that were demonstrated against Barcelona. Because? That’s what we all ask ourselves. What’s more, we want an explanation.
Losing the rest
The realistic team went into the break trailing on the scoreboard in a first half in which hardly anything happened. Athletic’s dangerous attacks originated from losses and gross errors by a Txuri-Urdin team that seemed to forget the ABCs of what to avoid in San Mamés. When all that happens for the fourth year in a row, it stings, hurts and bothers. And it is not understood. The derbies are played with blood in the eyes and before the break the blue and white team came out to see them coming. And that’s how it went for them.
At fifteen minutes, Sucic didn’t hit a good shot in a good position. On the counterattack, Djaló, Valverde’s big surprise, tested Remiro, who responded without problems.
It was curious, because it wasn’t the suffocating Athletic that pressed very high and imposed a very high pace. His proposal was more to play by mistake and it didn’t take him long to find options.
In Real’s worst moments, Prados did not hit a shot inside the area and in the continuation of the play, which at one point seemed aborted, Nico crossed and Sancet headed into the net at the far post. Unlike in recent precedents, without doing almost anything, Athletic took the lead. A treasure in a derby as close as this one.
The only approach with any danger was a play of Kubo, who was very far from the level expected of him before the intermissionbut failed to impale his shot. The key to everything is that no realistic player could be highlighted at the end of the first half. That says everything. And in a derby, not to be very disappointed.
19
Athletic – Real Sociedad: Mikel Recalde’s notes
Mikel Recalde
At the restart, without Real showing any hint of reaction, Sancet, the best of the duel, served a great cross that Prados, completely and insultingly alone, finished with a very focused shot that was stopped by Remiro. The most dramatic thing about Real’s last games in Bilbao is that the minutes pass very quickly and their reaction never comes. She can’t find herself. It’s unrecognizable. It is not possible to understand why it shrinks and anguishes in this way, but when it is repeated so many times over time, it stops being a coincidence and becomes a serious problem.
Aguerd saved a good option from Sancet with a magnificent cross. Shortly after, Zubimendi had a great chance to cross Sucic, but he could only get the point in and the ball went wide. Sergio shot from afar with his right foot and was stopped by Julen, while, in the last realistic option, in a corner kick from the Catalan, Oyarzabal finished off quickly and the ball went wide.
Imanol’s changes did not improve the team at all. Only the entry of Brais was noted for his class in the midfield, although without being decisive or managing to become a protagonist. And the match was consumed without Real showing pride, potential, inspiration or quality to rebel and win a draw that they did not deserve.
A very big disappointment. Much more serious than what those who claim that it was a very close match in which hardly anything happened in Athletic’s most comfortable match are going to want to sell us. Well when that happens, Normally Real losesbecause he has a pressing problem with the goal, as shown by the fact that after taking the lead, what was ruled out was the visiting team’s victory, and because since the Cup final, in which his approach was superb and humiliated Marcelino on the scoreboard , Imanol does not find any formula to beat Athletic. And his plan was the same as the previous three years. It just can’t be.
This is not just another game, it goes much further. And anyone who doesn’t understand it and doesn’t suffer too much from it doesn’t understand anything about what the Basque derby is. It is time to put an end to this infamous streak. We are very tired of the topic.
