Tonight’s clash between Athletic Bilbao and Slavia Prague promises to be a special European night at San Mamés. This evening, Oscar de Marcos, Athletic’s seasoned captain, will step onto the field for his 541st game in the iconic red and white jersey. This milestone will see De Marcos tie the legendary Rojo and move into third place for the most appearances in the club’s history, behind only Iker Muniain (560) and club legend José Ángel Iribar (614). Additionally, De Marcos is edging closer to breaking the club’s all-time European appearance record held by Markel Susaeta, who sits on 75 caps, just 8 ahead of the veteran right-back. After 16 seasons at the club and approaching his 36th birthday in April, De Marcos’s future beyond this season remains uncertain.
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How Athletic Bilbao Arrives for the Match
Athletic Bilbao, under the steady leadership of Ernesto Valverde, has started their European campaign on a high note. The Basque side is undefeated in Europe, having drawn against Roma and secured a win against AZ Alkmaar. The goal for tonight is to further strengthen their position in the group by capitalizing on their home advantage at San Mamés. The team is expected to feature a few rotations, but Valverde is keen to maintain balance, especially with a significant rest period after this match until their next league fixture on Monday.
Leading the charge will likely be the Williams brothers, who dazzled the crowd with their recent performance in La Liga against Espanyol. Alongside them, Álex Berenguer, who has been pivotal for Athletic, will once again play a key role in their attacking endeavors. Berenguer’s form has been impressive, particularly with his ability to drift inside and create chances in Sancet’s absence. Valverde has emphasized the importance of his contract renewal, describing Berenguer as a “guarantee” for the team.
How Slavia Prague Arrives for the Match
Slavia Prague enters this game as one of the most in-form teams in Europe. The Czech champions have played 17 matches this season across domestic and European competitions, losing just once to Lille during their Champions League qualifiers. Led by Jindřich Trpišovský, who has been in charge since 2018, Slavia has developed a formidable system built on a 3-5-2 formation. This approach allows them to dominate the midfield and attack with width through their wing-backs, while also congesting the central areas when out of possession.
Trpišovský’s Slavia has been a consistent force domestically, winning the Czech league three times and the domestic cup four times under his tenure. Moreover, the team regularly contributes seven to eight players to the Czech national team, highlighting their quality. Slavia Prague is aiming to upset the Spanish side tonight and continue their strong European run.
The Key Duel: Berenguer vs Lingr
One of the standout matchups of the night will be between Athletic’s Álex Berenguer and Slavia Prague’s Ondřej Lingr. Both players have been instrumental for their teams in recent weeks. Berenguer, traditionally a winger, has adapted his game to operate more centrally in the absence of Oihan Sancet, providing goals and assists for his side. Valverde praised Berenguer’s versatility, stating that his renewal was “fundamental” for Athletic’s future success.
On the other side, Lingr has emerged as a key player for Slavia, scoring his first goal of the season in their recent match against Jablonec. The Czech midfielder will likely be tasked with breaking down Athletic’s defense, while also offering a potential alternative to young star Christos Zafeiris, who scored in the heated derby against Sparta Prague.
Predictions for the Match
The matchup between Athletic Bilbao and Slavia Prague is expected to be a tight contest. Athletic, playing at home, will look to maintain their unbeaten run in Europe. They have the quality and form, especially with players like Berenguer and the Williams brothers in attack, to break down Slavia’s defense. On the other hand, Slavia Prague’s impressive form this season and their ability to adapt tactically under Trpišovský make them a dangerous opponent.
The first half may see both teams cautiously probing each other’s defenses, but expect Athletic to gain control as the game progresses. With the support of the San Mamés crowd and De Marcos’s historic night, Athletic will be keen to secure all three points.
Prediction: Athletic 2-1 Slavia Prague
Conclusion: A Historic Night Awaits
As De Marcos makes history tonight, the focus will not only be on his remarkable career but also on Athletic’s pursuit of European success. With both teams in fine form, the clash promises to deliver high-quality football, with Athletic hoping to use this opportunity to build momentum and strengthen their position in the group.
Whether it’s the tactical battle between Berenguer and Lingr or the anticipation of more Williams magic, tonight’s game is set to be another unforgettable European night at San Mamés.
