The Basque derby is always a special event in the La Liga calendar, and the clash on May 4, 2025 is no exception. Real Sociedad host Athletic Bilbao at the Reale Arena, and a win is important for both teams at the start of the season.
Teams Performance
Real Sociedad: The home team is currently in 11th place in the league with 42 points. They have only picked up one point in their last three matches, most recently a 1-0 defeat to Alavés. Head coach Imanol Alguacil will leave the team at the end of the season, so this will be his last Basque derby as coach. The players are motivated to bid farewell to their coach with a win and move closer to a place in the European Cup.
Athletic Bilbao: The visitors are in fourth place and are in contention for a Champions League spot. However, their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in midweek in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final could have taken a toll on the team. Head coach Ernesto Valverde is likely to rotate his squad to rest key players for the return leg.
Important Missing Items
Real Sociedad: Igor Zubeldia, Álvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan are unavailable due to injury. Nayef Aguerd could return to defence, while Ander Barrenetxea could also be used again in attack.
Athletic Bilbao: Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams will miss the match due to injury, which is a significant loss in the attacking line. However, Óscar De Marcos has recovered and has been included in the squad.
Tactical Analysis
Real Sociedad: Imanol Alguacil is expected to use a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading the attack. Martin Zubimendi will control the midfield, while Takefusa Kubo and Brais Méndez could pose a threat on the wings.
Athletic Bilbao: Ernesto Valverde is likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gorka Guruzeta as the striker. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Vesga will provide stability in midfield, while Alex Berenguer and Unai Gómez will try to fill in for the missing players in attack.
Weather Conditions
In San Sebastián, mild temperatures of around 15°C and dry weather are expected during the match, providing ideal conditions for the game.
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