MADRID, 28 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Athletic Club travels this Monday to the Nuevo Mirandilla Stadium to face Cádiz (8:00 p.m.) on matchday three of LaLiga Santander, a duel in which the Cadiz team come penultimate in the table and with the need to obtain their first points against some ‘Lions’ come to more.
The Basque team has not known defeat in the league start under Ernesto Valverde, who has already cemented his key premises in his third spell on the Bilbao bench. Their defensive solidity, intensity and greater offensive presence have kept the team undefeated in the first two games.
However, the pending task for the Basques is effectiveness, a problem that has been dragging on since last season and that for now has been in the background thanks to the intensity and sacrifice of a well-grouped team.
San Mamés welcomed the start of his team in the competition with two tough games for his team. First, a goalless draw against Mallorca, which left the fans who did experience their first victory against Valencia wanting more with a solitary goal from Álex Berenguer.
Now, the heat of the stadium for the Basques will not come into play and Valverde’s men will play away against a Cádiz in low hours. Sergio González’s men hope to leave behind a negative streak, in which Real Sociedad and Osasuna have deprived them of points.
The joy for salvation last season has been left behind and the Cadiz have started off on the wrong foot a course in which they have not yet seen a goal. However, the Andalusian team faces their third match with renewed hopes, after recovering troops in midfield and with the signing of Belgian Théo Bongonda in attack.
“We are an honest team that gives itself and the fans cannot blame them for anything in terms of attitude. They are clear that we must improve a lot, especially with a ball that has personality. It was done last year and it should be done this year”, recognized Sergio González in the pre-match.
The Catalan coach will be able to count on his new reinforcement and with an Iván Alejo already in a better tone, such as Rubén Sobrino and Álex Fernández, who has improved in the last week, while Fede San Emeterio could come out of the game. By contrast, Iza Carcelén has not entered the call.
The Basques will not be able to count on midfielder Ander Herrera, recently arrived from Paris Saint-Germain on loan, which means his return home in his second adventure at Athletic. The essential loss of the ‘txingurri’ will be that of Yuri Berchiche, the left-back who had started out as a fixture in the scheme.
Also, the ‘Lions’ are still waiting for the physical condition of Íñigo Martínez, who could be added to the list of absences due to injury that Agirrezabala and Balenziaga complete.
— MONDAY PROGRAM IN MATCHDAY 3 OF THE SANTANDER LEAGUE.
-MONDAY, August 29.
Cadiz – Athletic Club. Ortiz Arias (C. Madrid) 20.00.
Valencia – Atletico Madrid. Cuadra Fernández (Balearic C.) 22.00.