Despite a previous defeat against FC Barcelona, coach Julen Agiruzabala retained his position, and this decision did not change the fact that Saturday’s match between Club Athletic and his rival. Although the Athletic Club owns the Renteria, Agiruzabala will be able to play against the Athletic Club despite its sale to Mestalla, as there is no fear clause in its contract. He is expected to be particularly motivated and determined to redeem himself after the six goals against Barcelona. Agiruzabala became one of the most sought after guards of the LALIGA, with eleven stops this season, placing him seventh in the standings. His journey to Valencia was marked by a comparison with Giorgi Mamardashvili, and he barely conceded goals, with the exception of an opportunity during a selection stop in Getafe.
The Athletic Club is about to face the Arsenal in the Champions League, with a potentially incomplete team due to the absence of Aymeric Laporte. Unai Simón will be the goaltender, and the team will play with particular determination after Agiruzabala’s departure in Valencia. Unai Simón recently gave an interview to the Guardian, addressing upcoming matches and anecdotes about opposing players, including Martin Odegaard, who will be missing from the game in San Mamés due to a shoulder injury. This absence affects Unai Simón, who plays with Odegaard in a Fantasyland League.
The organisation of security for the Champions League matches involves collaboration between the club, the Basque government, the police and other organizations. However, a club supporter, also a member of the club, raised concerns about accessibility for people with reduced mobility. It describes the difficulties encountered in getting to the stadium, in particular due to congestion, the lack of accessible parking spaces and problems related to traffic and pedestrians. It calls on the Athletic, the Basque Government and the municipal authorities to improve access to the stadium for people with reduced mobility, by increasing parking spaces and regulating traffic.