Basque Derby Tactical Preview: Valverde’s Athletic Club Vs Alguacil’s Real Sociedad

The Basque derby is going to take place on Sunday, 24 November, at the San Mamés Stadium between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad with a slight advantage for Athletic Bilbao if we consider the standings of La Liga since they are two points above Real Sociedad.

At the same time, Real Sociedad are on a great run of form as they have just won against Barcelona before the international break and are therefore confident enough in their abilities to win the Basque derby.

Real Sociedad are holding the 8th position with 18 points, five wins, three draws and five losses.

It is true that 13 losses in 13 games is quite high for a team that wants to reach “European” spots at the end of the season, yet Real Sociedad could create surprises and win games while putting on convincing performances.

Overall, scoring 11 goals in 13 games and conceding 10 means that both the attacking and defensive phases must be improved if Imanol Alguacil’s side wants to finish the season successfully.

By winning the Basque derby, Real Sociedad can open the door to additional wins and build on their good run of form by winning more valuable points.

On the other hand, Athletic Club have collected 20 points so far.

They are striving to extend the gap between them and their direct opponents (such as Real Sociedad, Mallorca, Real Betis), knowing that a win in the derby would give them an extra push towards extending this gap.

Moreover, the psychological impact of winning such rivalry games will surely be important for Athletic Club in the upcoming matches.

The fact that both teams play in the Europa League makes things even more challenging for both sides, as they play nearly the same number of games and have almost the same rhythm.

In this tactical analysis preview of the Basque derby, we will explore both teams’ tactics, formations, and, more importantly, how both teams would have to play to avoid defeat and have more chances to win.

Therefore, the analysis will study both teams’ attacking and defensive phases, identifying what they should avoid and what they need to rely on to win.

Athletic Club Vs Real Sociedad Formations And Lineups

Based on their recent games and Ernesto Valverde’s tactics and formations in the latest period with Athletic Club, we can say that Valverdes formation will most likely opt for the 4-2-3-1 set-up.

He always prefers to use this formation, which guarantees the wingers’ three, which is very important for Athletic Club.

Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams and Nico Serrano are very dangerous and relied on to create opportunities, whether using crosses or by penetrating towards the box and using their agility and dribbling skills to create spaces inside the box and eventually goalscoring chances.

At the same time, relying on an attacking playmaker makes Athletic Club’s attacks more dangerous, as names like Oihan Sancet, Álex Berenguer, and Unai Gómez have always been very useful.

Moreover, their number one goalkeeper, Unai Simóns comeback from injury would surely boost the teams performance and confidence in winning this match.

With that being said, Valverde would most likely opt for Unai Simón as a goalkeeper, Óscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, and Adama Boiro in defence, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarret and Beñat Prados as central midfielders, Sancet as an advanced playmaker, both Iñaki Williams and Nico Williams as wingers while Gorka Guruzeta would be the team’s striker.

On the other hand, for Real Sociedad, Igor Zubeldia and Orri Óskarsson’s participation in the derby remains doubtful.

At the same time, Martin Zubimendi and Hamari Traore have already been ruled out of the game.

Zubimendi’s absence would surely represent an issue for Imanol Alguacil, who is more likely to replace him with Sergio Gómez.

Although the two players do not have the same qualities in terms of playmaking and vision, Sergio Gómez can prove very useful in this game if he maintains his good form following his latest performance in the UEFA Europa League.

Other than that, the team will more likely play with the same line-up that won against Barcelona, according to the 4-1-4-1 formation with Álex Remiro as a goalkeeper, Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Nayef Aguerd and Aihen Muñoz in defence, Sergio Gómez as a defensive midfielder, Luka Sučić and Brais Méndez as central midfielders, Takefusa Kubo and Sheraldo Becker as wingers, and the captain Mikel Oyarzabal as a striker.

Athletic Club Vs Real Sociedad Formations

Athletic Clubs Match Plan

Athletic Club will have to start the match with great intensity and exploit the fact that they play at home by trying to press high on Real Sociedad to force them to make mistakes.

The Bilbao side can be very successful in starting the match this way, as they have the pace and dribbling skills needed to disturb Real Sociedad’s defence early in the game, especially by relying on the wings.

Moreover, relying on Serrano