After a beautiful series of victories against Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and Betis, the Athletic of Bilbao suffered a bitter defeat against the Alavés in San Mamés. The game, which was described as unattainable and unpaced, saw the Alavés score on an opportunist counter, enjoying a rebound. The absence of Enesto Valverde, the sanctioned coach, was felt in tactical choices, as changes failed to reinvigorate the team. The players, despite their individual efforts, lacked precision and efficiency, allowing a lack of preparation and intensity to appear.

The game was marked by a lack of fluidity in the game, especially in the middle of the field, and a difficulty in creating concrete goal opportunities. Key players like Iñaki Williams posted a limited form, and attempts at second-period reinforcements failed to reverse the trend. The Alavés, well defended and supported by sometimes contested arbitration, has been able to exploit the weaknesses of the Athletic, especially in the phases of dry cleaning and transitions. The Basque team lacked the ability to maintain possession and create spaces, contenting themselves with isolated attempts.

This defeat was a hard blow for the Athletic, who saw his dream of a fourth consecutive victory at the beginning of the season faint. She raised concerns about the team’s preparation for the crucial match against the Arsenal in the Champions League. The lack of dynamism and depth in the game, as well as the lack of maturity of some young players, are points that require special attention. The team must now focus on recovering and improving its game, especially in terms of precision, creativity and the ability to withstand pressure.