The Athletic Club and Osasuna ended up on a score without goals in a game that was played in San Mamés, a result that leaves none of the two teams happy. The Athletic, which occupies the fourth place with 52 points, lost the opportunity to approach the third place of the Atletico in Madrid (57 points), which had a stumbling block at the 1-1 tie against Espanyol. For his part, Osasuna achieved a valuable point in his struggle to stay away from the problems in the lower part of the table, reaching 34 points and placing himself in the 14th place, five points from the descent area. The meeting, characterized by its intensity and lack of clarity in attack, left a bittersweet flavor for both teams.
Initial alignments
- Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; De Marcos (C), Yeray, Paredes, Yuri; Prados (Sancet, min. 67), Vesga; Iñaki Williams, Maroan (Guruzeta, min. 67), Berenguer (Nico Williams, min. 46); Ander Herrera (Gómez, min. 80).
- Banking: Agirrezabala (P.s.), Lekue, Vivian, Ruiz de Galarreta, Dani García, Jauregizar, Aduriz.
- Lows: Vivian and Ruiz de Galarreta (lesionate).
- Osasuna (4-1-4-1): Aitor Fernández; Areso (Rubén Peña, min. 67), Catena, Herrando, Bretones; Torró; Rubén García (C) (Moi Gómez, min. 67), Moncayola (Pablo Ibáñez, min. 67), Oroz, Lucas; Budimir.
- Banking: Jesús Owono (P.s.), David García, Nacho Vidal, Kike Barja, Raúl García, Arnáiz.
- Lows: Sergio Herrera (employed), Bryan Zaragoza and Iker Muñoz (ready).
Athletic Club
- Tactical provision: Ernesto Valverde opted for 4-2-3-1, using Prados and Vesga as the double pivot to provide solidity in the center of the field. Berenguer and Iñaki Williams were responsible for stretching the game for the bands, while Maroan positioned himself as a hook right behind Ander Herrera, who played the role of false nine. High pressure was fundamental, achieving 58% possession and a heat map that concentrated in the rival area.
- Offensive phase: The Athletic fired 14 shots, of which 3 went to the door, with a total of 1.3 expected goals (xG). However, the lack of precision in the last pass and the outstanding performance of Aitor Fernández prevented the balloon from entering the network. Iñaki Williams had the best chance at the 62nd minute, but his shot went off after a big pass by Nico Williams. Berenguer also tried to create danger, but Catena and Herrando were very attentive.
- Defensive phase: The defense, led by Yeray and Paredes, was very solid, winning 54% of the duels. Once Simon had little work, making only one stop to a Budimir head in the 45th minute. From Marcos and Yuri did a great job holding the bands, although Areso and Bretons managed to create danger in the transitions.
- Tactical Key: The entry of Nico Williams in the second half gave the team greater verticality, while Sancet and Guruzeta tried to notice more in the area. Despite his efforts, the Athletic could not overcome the solid defense of Osasuna, which remained firm after the rest.
Osasuna
- Tactical provision: Vicente Moreno decided to use a 4-1-4-1 scheme, placing Torró as the defensive pivot to provide solidity to the team. Rubén García and Lucas were responsible for creating danger for the bands, while Oroz and Moncayola joined the attack from the center of the camp. Budimir was the reference in the front, although he felt quite isolated during the game.
- Offensive phase: Osasuna generated 7 shots, 2 by door, with 0.6 xG. His best occasion was a head of Budimir in the 45th minute, arrested by Unai Simon. The lack of connection between lines and the low depth limited their offensive capacity, with Oroz and Rubén García trying unsuccessful.
- Defensive phase: The cheek defense was firm, especially in the second half. Catena and Herrando dominated most of the air duels, while Aitor Fernández became a key piece with several stops, highlighting one especially to Iñaki Williams in the 62nd minute. Bretons and Areso had difficulties with the Athletic bands, but they managed to close the spaces well.
- Tactical Key: The changes that Moreno made, including Rubén Peña, Moi Gómez and Pablo Ibáñez, aimed to achieve greater control and a stronger defense, although that meant sacrificing a bit of attack. After the break, Osasuna repleted, focusing on not matching goals and trying to create some counterattack opportunity, but did not manage to generate a real danger.
goals and assistance
There were no goals or assists in the party. Both teams lacked the precision needed to break the 0-0.
MVP of the Party
Aitor Fernández was the MVP of the meeting. Osasuna’s goalkeeper made several key stops, including one Iñaki Williams in the 62nd minute and a Sancet shot in the 75th. His safety under sticks and his ability to read the plays were fundamental for Osasuna to take a point from San Mamés.
Scores of Players
- Athletic Club:
- Unai Simón: 6.5 – A stop to Budimir, little more to do.
- From Marcos: 7 – Solid, held Lucas.
- Yeray: 7 – Insurance in court.
- Couples: 7 – He won duels to Budimir.
- Yuri: 7 – Great duel with Areso, with speed and energy.
- Prados: 6.5 – Right, but imprecise in some passes.
- Vesga: 6 – A lot of effort, little impact.
- Iñaki Williams: 7 – The clearest of the party, but failed.
- Maroan: 6 – He tried to generate, but without success.
- Berenguer: 6.5 – Active, but without clarity.
- Ander Herrera: 6 – Little influential as false nine.
- Substitutes:
- Nico Williams: 7 – Provided verticality.
- Sancet: 6.5 – A shot fired by Aitor.
- Guruzeta: 6 – No clear occasions.
- Gomez: 6 – Little time.
- Osasuna:
- Aitor Fernández: 8 – MVP, several key stops.
- Areso: 6.5 – He suffered with Yuri, but fulfilled.
- Catena: 7 – Solid in the air game.
- Hurting: 7 – He won duels to Guruzeta.
- Bretons: 6.5 – Right, although Nico caused trouble.
- Torró: 7 – Yellow, but great defensive work.
- Rubén García: 6 – He tried to generate, but without success.
- Moncayola: 6 – He asked for change for discomfort.
- Oroz: 6.5 – The most dangerous, your mistake almost cost a goal.
- Lucas: 6 – Little influential.
- Budimir: 6 – A head, but very isolated.
- Substitutes:
- Rubén Peña: 6 – He contributed solidity.
- Moi Gómez: 6 – Say some control.
- Pablo Ibáñez: 6 – No impact.
Arbitrary and VAR polyester
The party, which was led by Martínez Munuera and González Fuertes in the VAR, did not make many controversial decisions, although there were some that gave rise to a good debate:
- Possible No Signaling Corner (min. 10):
- Description: Iñaki Williams claimed a córner after a center that Bretons diverted, but the linier pointed out door looting. The images show that the ball touched the side of Osasuna.
- Impact: The decision generated protests from the Athletic. In Movistar+ it was pointed out that “it was a clear córner”, but the VAR does not intervene in this type of play.
- Lack of Torró on Iñaki Williams (min. 15):
- Description: Torró committed a clear fault about Iñaki Williams in the middle field, but Martínez Munuera let go. The VAR didn’t intervene.
- Impact: Valverde protested from the bench, and some users in X noted that the lack was evident.
Post-Partido statements
- Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Club): “We have lacked clarity in the last meters. We had occasions, but we weren’t fine. Osasuna closed well and it took us to find spaces. We continue to fight for the third place, but we have to improve.”
- Vicente Moreno (Osasuna): “It is a valuable point in a very difficult field. The team worked well defensively, although we lacked more presence in attack. Aitor Fernández was spectacular, and that allowed us to add.”
- Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club): “I don’t understand how they didn’t give us the córner in the first part, but it’s no excuse. We had occasions, I failed a clear one, and we have to keep working.”
- Aitor Fernández (Osasuna): “I count for the point and for helping the team with the stops. San Mamés is always complicated, and this tie gives us confidence to follow.”
- Rubén García (Osasuna): “We have suffered, but the team showed character. We missed a little more than right up, but adding here is always positive.”
Covers of World Sports Journals
- Spain:
- Brand brand: “Osasuna frustra al Athletic en San Mamés (0-0)”.
- AS: “Empate without goals in Bilbao: Athletic and Osasuna do not find the goal (0-0)”.
- World of Sports: “The Athletic crashes against the wall of Osasuna (0-0).”
- Sport: “Aitor Fernández saves Osasuna in San Mamés (0-0)”.
- International:
- L’Équipe (France): “Athletic et Osasuna se neutralisent à San Mamés (0-0)”.
- The Guardian (United Kingdom): “Athletic Bilbao held to a goalless draw by Osasuna in LaLiga”.
- ESPN (Global): “Athletic Club and Osasuna share the points in a 0-0 stalemate”.
- Olé (Argentina): “Without goals in San Mamés: Athletic and Osasuna tie 0-0.”
Extended Analysis
The Athletic Club had the control of the ball and created more opportunities, but its lack of aiming in the last third and the outstanding performance of Aitor Fernández prevented them from marking. The high pressure of the lions was effective in recovering the ball, but the solid defense of Osasuna, with Catena and Herrando in command, managed to stop the incursions of Iñaki Williams and his team. The entrance of Nico Williams and Sancet brought more verticality, but the Athletic failed to find the way to the goal.
For its part, Osasuna adopted a more defensive approach than usual. Vicente Moreno focused on not fitting goals, and the team repleted after the break, seeking some opportunity to counterattack with Budimir and Oroz. However, the lack of connection between lines and the low depth limited their offensive capacity. Aitor Fernandez became the rojillo hero, with key stops that ensured a valuable point in a complicated field.
Arbitral decisions, such as the córner not indicated in favour of the Athletic, did not directly affect the result, but did fuel the discontent of the premises. This tie leaves the Athletic with the feeling of having let two points escape in his struggle for the third place, while Osasuna adds a point that gives him a breath in his goal of permanence. Both teams will need to improve their offensive clarity if they want to achieve their goals in what remains of the season.
