The Marcelino effect, which was unleashed with force in the Super Cup after a false start on Three Kings Day against Barça, has a litmus test tonight against Getafe, which arrives in San Mamés exposing its improvement in the last two days. Bilbao has started this 2021 with a roller coaster of sensations: victory in a good match against Elche, which did not prevent the removal of Garitano; defeat and impotence against Barcelona at the premiere of Marcelino; game postponed by the snow against Atleti after enduring a 'if you have to go, go, but go' pa na '…'; unexpected victory in the Super Cup after defeating Madrid and the Catalans in three days; and, finally, an agonizing Cup tie against Ibiza resolved in extra time. And almost three weeks later, the lions return to LaLiga, and home.
This void of commitments has placed the rojiblanco team in a low area of the table, with a not very firm cushion on the descent. For this reason, Marcelino must focus the group on another tournament, the league, after the parade for the Super Cup and the Cup. In this short period of time he has been showing part of his ideology: verticality in counterattacks, greater success before the goal of rival and the self-esteem needed to be champion. The 4-4-2 is already a form of behavior and has sent the 4-2-3-1 in force this last decade to the trunk of oblivion.
The only doubt is whether Íñigo Martínez will be available, replaced in the extension of the Super Cup final due to a muscular overload and falls as a result of this in Ibiza in the Cup. Yuri tried in the Pitiusas Islands and has all the ballots to return. The week brings them, with the Cup to the surprise of the tournament, Alcoyano, on Thursday, for their feat against Madrid. And on Sunday, another pulse, the third of the month, against Barcelona, this time at the Camp Nou.
The new Getafe de Aleñá and Take Kubo have chained two victories in a row and recovered their morale and confidence. From being able to fall to the decline to dreaming of Europe again in ten days. This is how this League is equaled and the azulones arrive in a sweet moment. Aleñá brings fluidity and balance. Kubo otherwise, the disorder in the rival. Among them emerges the figure of Arambarri, in a spectacular moment of form.
With the team redone, the casualties are less noticeable and in Getafe they are multiple. Also two headline doubts. Olivera on the left side has a lot of influence on the game. Bordalás will not give the call until the morning of the game to keep those unknowns also in Marcelino's mind. A well-known old enemy. In the past sparks flew between the two.