Valverde’s Athletic Club currently ranks fifth in LaLiga without making a lot of noise. ‘The Lions’ are one of the most serious teams in the league and, throughout this demanding month before the Christmas break, they have the chance to establish themselves as candidates to keep their current position.
One third of the way through the LaLiga championship, Athletic Club are six points clear of the team in eighth position, García Pimienta’s UD Las Palmas. However, it is not their position on the table that mainly leads Athletic Club fans to be optimistic, but the good sensations and the recovery of their goal scoring ability in this solid start to the season.
Such scoring virtue is mostly a product of the great performance of their offensive trident formed by the Williams brothers and Guruzeta, who have scored a combined 12 goals in 13 matches.
Add to this the support of Oihan Sancet, who has contributed another three goals and two assists, and you get, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best and most reliable attacking forces so far this season.
The speed, dribbling and key passes provided by Nico Williams, the assist leader of LaLiga (he has recorded five thus far) whose contract renewal is far from a certainty, is making San Mamés shake in fear. Iñaki Williams‘ hustle and regained goal scoring instincts since becoming a lock on the right wing, where he has proven to perform a lot better than at the striker position.
A target man spot occupied by Gorka Guruzeta, who possesses great finishing skills and the ability to attract the opposing center-backs, providing more freedom and space to Oihan Sancet, who is the main source of key passes and second line finishes on the team.
In midfield, Ruiz de Galarreta has managed to settle in the number ‘8’ position and effectively provide the team with exactly what they needed in the last few matches. He speeds up the circulation of the ball, can also deliver great long passes and frees Vesga up from playmaking duties. Mikel Vesga who, by the way, is the compass of the team and provides balance.
As for their defense, De Marcos has gone back to performing at his best and Vivian has established himself as the main center-back for Valverde. The two remaining positions on the field are the ones generating a little bit of a debate so far. With the injuries of Yuri and Yeray, Aitor Paredes has slowly become Vivian’s partner in Athletic’s backline. The left flank might be the weakest position on the team.
To summarize, with their backbone properly analyzed and organized, Athletic Club enter a critical month to convincingly establish themselves in European football positions. A feat they have failed to accomplish since the 2017 season. However, ever since Valverde’s arrival, the team placed eighth, so they did not make it by the smallest of margins. Will this be the year in which ‘The Lions’ finally roar in Europe again?
So far, they have been roaring on the low, and up next, they will visit Montilivi to face Girona, perhaps the most in-form opponent the jungle has to offer.
Translated by Nuño Alonso.
Main image: Edit by Marta Calle.
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