A challenging away fixture against AS Roma (1:1) nearly resulted in Athletic Club's first Europa League victory, as the Basque side outperformed the Romans in terms of chances. At home against AZ Alkmaar, the team is unlikely to encounter significant problems, having already adapted to playing without Oihan Sancet and Unai Simón.
In the second half of September, Athletic Club looked exceedingly confident, putting together a run of three consecutive victories. Despite losses to Barcelona (1:2) and Atlético Madrid (0:1), the team from Bilbao sit in the top five of La Liga. They have netted 12 goals in eight matches (only four teams have scored more) and rank in the top seven for xGA with 9.28. In Rome, they created 0.62 xG and outshot their top-tier opponents significantly (12-4).
Unlike their upcoming rivals, AZ celebrated their first Europa League win last week, though they were expected to defeat Elfsborg (3:2). The Swedish side managed to challenge the team from Alkmaar: they conceded twice from two shots on target, and dominating possession (64-36%) will be far more challenging in Bilbao. On Sunday, AZ Alkmaar faltered in the Eredivisie against Utrecht (1:2), with two goals conceded from three shots allowed.
In five home matches, Athletic Club have scored at least once in four of them. AZ Alkmaar's defence is too unstable, and the Basques are poised to exploit this vulnerability.
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Ernesto Valverde
|
coach | ||
| Player | Matches | Goals | |
|
Line-up
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|||
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Julen Agirrezabala Astúlez
|
gk. | 2 | -1 |
|
Aitor Paredes Casamichana
|
df. | 2 | 1 |
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Andoni Gorosabel
|
df. | 2 | 0 |
|
Daniel Moreno
|
df. | 2 | 0 |
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Yuri Berchiche
|
df. | 2 | 0 |
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Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
|
mf. | 2 | 0 |
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Oihan Sancet
|
mf. | 1 | 1 |
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Mikel Jauregizar Alboniga
|
mf. | 0 | 0 |
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Gorka Guruzeta
|
fw. | 2 | 0 |
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Iñaki Williams
|
fw. | 2 | 1 |
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Nicholas Williams Arthuer
|
fw. | 2 | 0 |
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Substitutes
|
|||
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Alejandro Padilla Pérez
|
gk. | 0 | 0 |
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Oscar De Marcos
|
df. | 2 | 0 |
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Unai Núñez
|
df. | 1 | 0 |
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Adama Boiro Boiro
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
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Iñigo Lekue
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
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Ander Herrera
|
mf. | 2 | 0 |
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Unai Gómez Etxebarria
|
mf. | 2 | 0 |
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Peio Canales Urtasun
|
mf. | 0 | 0 |
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Álex Remiro
|
fw. | 2 | 0 |
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Álvaro Djaló Dias Fernandes
|
fw. | 1 | 0 |
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Javier Martón Ansó
|
fw. | 0 | 0 |
|
Nicolás Serrano Galdeano
|
fw. | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Matches | Goals | |
|
Line-up
|
|||
|
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro
|
gk. | 1 | -2 |
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Alexandre Manuel Penetra Correia
|
df. | 1 | 0 |
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David Møller Wolfe
|
df. | 1 | 0 |
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Seiya Maikuma
|
df. | 1 | 0 |
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Brun Martins Indi
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
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Jordy Clasie
|
mf. | 1 | 0 |
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Peer Koopmeiners
|
mf. | 1 | 0 |
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Sven Mijnans
|
mf. | 1 | 0 |
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Zico Buurmeester
|
mf. | 1 | 0 |
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Ruben van Bommel
|
fw. | 1 | 2 |
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Troy Parrott
|
fw. | 1 | 1 |
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Substitutes
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|||
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Hobie Verhulst
|
gk. | 0 | 0 |
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Jeroen Zoet
|
gk. | 0 | 0 |
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Denso Kasius
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
|
Maxim Dekker
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
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Mees Jacobus Wilhelmus de Wit
|
df. | 0 | 0 |
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Kristijan Belić
|
mf. | 1 | 0 |
|
Jayden Osei Addai
|
fw. | 1 | 0 |
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Mexx Meerdink
|
fw. | 1 | 0 |
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Ernest Poku
|
fw. | 0 | 0 |
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Lequincio Zeefuik
|
fw. | 0 | 0 |
|
Mayckel Lahdo
|
fw. | 0 | 0 |
Post by:
Europa League
