Athletic holds a derby at its stadium

Athletic’s fourth consecutive victory at home in the most important Basque derby, no one on either side of the AP-8 is going to discuss it, because there is no debate. He was the owner from start to finish, and Sunset came back through the big door after his injury. It’s becoming a trend for the Lions to look down on their neighbors in San Mamés: They’re 9-1 since the 2021-22 season. Stage fright? La Real, very predictable before the break, once again played many stingy minutes and their opponents managed to take the derby where they wanted it, into their own territory. A lot of craftsmanship, because without creating decoration, it continues to add and add. In other cases, he deserved three points, but only took one. If he claimed the “sorpasso” in the classification, he was left in the ditch, he was slowed down again after two victories, one of which no less than Barça, punished because he has very little attack, he lacks sharpness, fangs , verticality. He lacks the courage, the courage, the desire to break the rules. Not even necessarily, the pride that Le Norman and Merino had was missed. The reaction in the second half was very sluggish. Still about 45 minutes open, with better options, but Valverde sang a lullaby, knew how to slow the pace, lull the collapse… and the points stayed at home, a tradition of late. Nobody likes to lose in a game like this. They are fifth and have Champions League hopes, so few will remember that they won on a dull and ugly night, during a period of minimal and fragile rivalry.

The clash between the neighbors dragged on: both registered on their field, resting with the ball. Perhaps Athletic, being the ones who set up the field in the derby, were more determined to visit the opponent’s goal. Nobody wanted to take risks or lose balls that would doom the troops, so the rhythm was eliminated in the first half. The pressure was fierce, but less than in other commitments. There was no news from the goalkeepers until the 15th minute. Sučić took a shot and then Djalo scored the first shot between three sticks, which Remiro saved at grass level. The man from Madrid, again a nine-year-old player, was extremely motivated and tried again soon after. He showed great energy as he pushed forward, fiercely seeking glory and wanting to please the stands.

Imanol’s team was losing its aggressiveness, the ball was barely sponsored, whoever had it could not find passing lanes, there was little support to perpetuate possession. Like other times, we gave the ball to the opponent and waited for events to develop, hiding from everyone’s attention. Sergio was the most outstanding. La Real used windshield wipers, fanned the ball with horizontal passes left-right and right-left without any meaning, long possessions that were absolutely silent and the only thing that could lead to them was a loss and ruin. Lions, on the contrary, became sharp and vertical. It was just a matter of time. The score 1:0 knocked on the door of La Catedral. Prados touched him, but he hit the ball very hard. The attacking play did not die there, as the action greatly unbalanced Real. Nico fought for possession against Sergio Gomez and Aramburu and leaned on Prados, who gave him the ball back and the winger made a very weak pass near the baseline.

Sunset came in from behind like a plane and ate Javi Lopez with an imperial headbutt that Remiro could have done more of. It is not easy for a running back to nullify such a physical miracle as Oikhan, who was never detected by the canary’s radar and that is why he won the position. In any case, the San Sebastian team was very soft throughout the series of goals. And Niko, once again starry with his sparkle, unbalanced by his brilliant appearance.

The Derby is still out of control. The locals, although not particularly talented, were better. The first half hour passed in Bilbao style. La Real, forced by the result, did not run until half-time and felt they needed to go deeper. At the start of the second half he found more decibels in his transitions, the intensity increased, he began to associate and this gave him some game. Of course, Prados again found the key to big chances inside with another soft shot from Sunset’s pass, which Remiro saved without breaking a sweat. San Sebastián’s best chance came in the 59th minute when Sučić’s cross from the center was missed by Zubimendi in the conditions, and he even intercepted a better strike from Sergio Gomez.

The changes folder has not yet been opened. La Real were starting to take the lead and Valverde wanted to break that trend with fresh legs and fast players like Jaureguizar and Bermeo’s Unai Gomez. Sergio had his chance later. Preview of a slightly bluer and whiter landscape. Because in the 78th minute, in a corner taken by the 17th himself, Oyarzabal finished off completely alone and shocked the audience. But in reality, the clock was ticking and nothing much was happening. Imanol said at the end that if he could change 11 during the break, but it turns out that he didn’t even use up five, but only changed four. AND He struck out Kubo, who was one of the few to escape the burning.. It was like committing hara-kiri. The script that the red and white team wrote was reflected in the green one. So, as the derby cliché dictates, next week those looking at La Concha will have to put up with the jokes of those looking at the Nervion Estuary.

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