Athletic Club faces a significant challenge as they head to Anoeta on Wednesday night (21:00 CEST) for the second leg of their semi-final clash against Real Sociedad, trailing 1-0 from the first encounter. Real Sociedad enters the match as the favored side, while Athletic grapples with the absence of key player Nico Williams and a patchy run of form. However, the extended break between legs might have offered Athletic a more favorable recovery period compared to their rivals, La Real.
Athletic Club’s manager, Ernesto Valverde, confirmed that Nico Williams would be unavailable due to injury. Defenders Yuri Berchiche and Aymeric Laporte are also nursing discomfort, with their participation to be a late call. Across the dugout, Pellegrino Matarazzo informed that Orri Oskarsson remains sidelined, but Ander Barrenetxea and Luka Sucic are fit enough to play for approximately an hour. Both coaches hinted at starting their reserve goalkeepers, Alex Padilla for Athletic and Unai Marrero for Real Sociedad.
‘I don’t care if it’s a long or a short match’ – Ernesto Valverde
Valverde articulated his pragmatic approach, emphasizing execution over anticipating the game’s flow. “The duration of the match doesn’t concern us; our sole focus is on securing a comeback,” he stated. “Football is unpredictable; predictions can shift in an instant. It’s best to approach this as a must-win fixture. If we keep a clean sheet, one goal is enough; if we concede, we simply need to score more. The game will unfold over roughly 90 minutes, whether it feels long or short.”
He also dismissed concerns about falling further behind, noting the abolition of the away goals rule. “The rules have changed; conceding two goals now merely means we must outscore our opponent. We are determined to win, and I don’t anticipate a tight contest. We’ll give everything to emerge victorious. While our season has seen its highs and lows, we aim to be at our absolute best for this match.”
‘We have the perfect level of tension’ – Matarazzo
Pellegrino Matarazzo, Real Sociedad’s manager, exuded confidence regarding his team’s prospects, pleased with their recent training sessions. “I sense a fantastic energy within the squad, a perfect level of tension,” Matarazzo remarked. “For such an important game, we must avoid being overly tense. We need a degree of relaxation in our movement and play, striking a good balance between excitement and composure, with unwavering focus on the match.”
The former Bundesliga coach urged his players to concentrate on each immediate action rather than the overall game management. “Our focus must be on what we need to accomplish. We’re not fixated on the final score; instead, we concentrate on winning every duel, every pass, every situation on the field. By taking it one step at a time, we’ll build momentum and energy. This is how we manage pressure and refine our playing style.”
“Smart play is always essential. Preparing for the match and managing the players’ mindset, providing clarity and focus, is a crucial part of our role. But it’s not just about the mental aspect; heart is equally vital. It’s about combining these elements: in every match, we must always strive for high energy and a strong team connection.”
Real Sociedad’s progress under Matarazzo
Matarazzo reflected on his team’s trajectory, which saw an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak upon his arrival, concluding only after their first-leg victory against Athletic. Asked if his current squad was stronger than in the first leg, he responded, “As we progress, yes, we’ve had minor setbacks, such as the loss to Real Madrid or the draw against Oviedo, which felt like a defeat. However, we responded positively in Mallorca, and now we possess good energy once more. We’ve recovered key players, and I believe we are in a strong phase.”
He elaborated on their training philosophy: “We’ve worked on all phases of the game: attack, defense, set pieces… While we can’t train everything every week, revisiting the same core topics regularly is key. Our objective remains to defend well, as demonstrated by our clean sheet in the last match. We must continue to work diligently, paying close attention to details and reviewing them consistently.”
This season, the two Basque rivals have met three times. Real Sociedad emerged victorious twice – once at Anoeta and again at San Mamés in the first leg of this semi-final. Athletic Club managed to salvage a point in the second league fixture in Bilbao earlier in February.