One of the hallmarks of Athletic de Gaizka Garitano had been its defensive armor. However, regardless of the results, or inherently linked to them, there is data that indicates that this shield is cracking. After eight games played, the rojiblanco team has only been able to leave its door to zero in one match. When last season at this point he had already four.
It is true that some goals have been conceded due to specific individual errors, such as that of Unai Simon against Valladolid without going any further, with the failure of the goalkeeper's control and his subsequent penalty to Marcos André. Joins the of Cap with Osasuna, Unai lopez before Cádiz, Nunez with Eibar … Although with those blots only the defeats are not explained. It must also be linked to the scarce film production.
And at this point the film is already well seen, with little, the rivals are doing tremendous damage to the Bilbao squad. In eight games, the opponents have drawn 17 shots between the three suits. And they have added 9 targets. A slab.
This season, the lions have received goals in seven games against Granada (2-0), Eibar (1-2), Alavés (1-0), Osasuna (1-0), Sevilla (2-1) and Valladolid (2-1). Which has meant five defeats and two victories. They have only left their opponent dry on one date, Levante (2-0). It must be remembered that this Athletic for now continues to play all or nothing, heads up. Win or lose. He does not sign ties.
In the past fourth, with eight games played as now, the rojiblancos had put the lock on their goal four times against Barça (1-0), Real Sociedad (2-0), Mallorca (0-0) and Alavés (2 -0). And they had received some impact against Getafe (1-1), Leganés (1-1), Valencia (0-1) and Celta (1-0).
But that trend goes further. So far this happy 2020, forever marked by the coronavirus pandemic, those of Garitano they have played a total of 28 league matches. And, in addition to the one mentioned with Levante, they have only been able to leave their door to zero in another three, with Villarreal (1-0), Betis (1-0) and Valencia (0-2).
All in all, there are six teams that have conceded fewer goals than the 9 supported against Athletic. They are Atlético de Madrid (2), Real (4), Sevilla (6) and Barça, Elche and Osasuna, all three with 8. The lions are tied in this section with Villarreal, Real Madrid, Getafe and Eibar.
Although there are teams that later compensate that balance with what they produce offensively. This is not the case of the Bilbao team, the third with the fewest goals (7), only behind Eibar and Celta, who accumulate 6. Garitano They are even in this chapter with a few squads that also have 7. A long roster made up of Huesca and Valladolid -the two colistas-, Alavés, Osasuna, Sevilla and Elche.
And that Athletic against Valladolid on the last day made up to 17 shots. Although only two found a goal. The penalty scored by Williams and before the great header of Villalibre that forced the pucelano goalkeeper Masip to draw a great intervention.