Alavés and Athletic had not seen each other in Mendizorrotza since last October 4, 2020. That afternoon, the fifth day of the League, Berenguer’s debut as a lion took place. The Navarrese had closed his signing for the rojiblanco club from Torino two days before. He signed on Saturday morning in Ibaigane, trained for the first time with his teammates in the afternoon in Lezama and on Sunday he made his debut under the command of Gaizka Garitano. His inclusion in the field occurred in the 78th minute, four after Ely signed the goal that finally gave the victory to the locals.
Since then, Berenguer has accumulated 62 games as a lion with a record of goals again: eight in the League and one in the Cup, that of the Ciutat de València against Levante that marked the classification for the final against Barça. This season, however, the Navarrese has not released his filmmaker account. From being a practically indisputable starter, he has come to be on the bench several times and has even been left without playing a game.
Marcelino, after the Christmas holidays, has returned ownership. After exercising as a right-handed inside at El Sadar, he served as second striker against Mancha Real. Yesterday he returned to repeat glued to the starting band, although he ended up next to Raúl García at the tip of the attack before being substituted. Los Nicos, with Morcillo already practicing at Valladolid, will be his competitors for the remainder of the season.
Berenguer suffered this time from the defensive rigor of Alavés. The Navarrese had to mate with Duarte, one of the most inspired by the local side. It was not easy for him when trying to overflow, perhaps he felt looser as a second striker, and on top of that he had to run backwards. The left-handed side of the Albiazules ranks, in fact, was about to sign the goal of the night.
Tricky field
Mendizorrotza has resisted Athletic since Alavés were promoted to the First Division for the last time. What happened yesterday was just one more example of the problems that the lions have to beat the Albiazul goal when they have to exercise in Gasteiz. There are already seven consecutive visits with a poor record of two draws to zero and only two goals in favor.
The problem is repeated beyond the tenant on duty on the Bilbao bench. Valverde and Kuko Ziganda suffered it on one occasion, the same as Marcelino now. Gaizka Garitano was touched three times.
Mendilibar has arrived in Gasteiz with very clear ideas. At the moment, without much margin to work with his new squad, he has added two separate draws against Real and Athletic in the Albiazul fiefdom. His change from Escalante to Josan five minutes before the break served, among other things, to make it clear that the Zaldibar coach remains true to himself and to his football principles. Yesterday, in the press room, he also had no qualms when he acknowledged that the rival had been better.