News
SÁB 03.05.2025
The BASQUE DERBY is just around the corner, with Real Sociedad hosting Athletic Club on Sunday at the Reale Arena. It now remains to be seen if Los Leones will manage to grab their first victory at the Reale Arena in eight seasons, or whether Imanol Alguacil will lead his side to another home victory in his last BASQUE DERBY as Txuri-Urdin came at the hands of Deportivo Alavés on the road.
Meanwhile, Los Leones are coming into Matchday 34’s derby on the back of a 1-0 victory over UD Las Palmas at San Mamés. An early goal by Iñaki Williams was enough for Athletic Club to secure all three points, with the league’s best defence (26 goals conceded in 33 games) keeping a clean sheet on home soil to establish a five-point advantage over fifth-placed Villarreal CF.
Imanol Alguacil’s last BASQUE DERBY
After six and a half successful seasons at Real Sociedad, Imanol Alguacil is set to part ways with the club at the end of this term. Under the 53-year-old tactician, the Txuri-Urdin managed to clinch European qualification for five straight campaigns between 2020 and 2025, including Champions League participation in 2023/24. Sunday’s clash in San Sebastian will be Imanol Alguacil’s last BASQUE DERBY as Real Sociedad coach.
“Imanol Alguacil has announced to Real Sociedad his decision to step down as head coach at the end of the season,” the club statement read. “After six and a half unforgettable years leading the Txuri-Urdin, the Orio-born manager will bid farewell once this campaign ends. But there’s still a lot at stake. A sixth European spot, and the perfect farewell to a beautiful era. One last effort. Eskerrik asko, Imanol. Thank you.”
In 14 games against Athletic Club across all competitions, Imanol Alguacil has celebrated seven victories, including a 1-0 win in the 2019/20 Copa del Rey final. Taking into account that Athletic Club have not recorded a single victory away at Real Sociedad since 2017, he will be presented with a first-class opportunity to bid farewell in style by claiming the bragging rights in the BASQUE DERBY. The hosts will also look to avenge their 1-0 loss at the hands of Ernesto Valverde’s side back on Matchday 14, when Oihan Sancet found the back of the net midway through the first half for Athletic Club’s third victory in their last four games against Real Sociedad.
A much-coveted return to the Champions League for Athletic Club
It has been a decade since the last time Athletic Club participated in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Having finished fourth in the LALIGA EA SPORTS table in 2013/14, Los Leones clinched a spot in Europe’s major football competition. What’s common between that campaign and the ongoing season is that the man in charge of the team was none other than club legend Ernesto Valverde.
In 17 league derbies against Real Sociedad, Valverde has recorded seven victories and five losses, with five games ending in a draw. The only time his team came out victorious from a game at the Reale Arena was back in 2017, which was also Athletic Club’s last victory in San Sebastián. Raúl García opened the scoring from the spot before the break, with Iñaki Williams netting a second just before the hour mark to seal the outcome.
From that point on, Real Sociedad have gone seven games unbeaten at home, including back-to-back victories the last two times Athletic Club visited their Basque rivals. Yet, Valverde’s side have been solid away from home this term. Only FC Barcelona (two) and Real Madrid (three) have recorded fewer road losses than Athletic Club, who boast the fourth-best away defence in the competition with an average of one goal conceded per game away from San Mamés.
It now remains to be seen if Los Leones will manage to grab their first victory at the Reale Arena in eight seasons, or whether Imanol Alguacil will lead his side to another home victory in his last BASQUE DERBY as Txuri-Urdin boss.
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