The “Lions” start as wide favorites on this occasion due to the greater hierarchy they have, regardless of whether they are immersed in the preseason. For this reason and knowing that their rival is from a lower division, we believe that the Berizzo boys have what it takes to win their first friendly of the season. Of course, the process of the game can be fought and rough in the midfield, since the two sets will have problems in the development. Remember that many of your players will be wrong to be somewhat clumsy for the great effort made in the preseason.
Amorebieta:
The campaign of this team in the last season was not very good that we say, since it was placed in the fourteenth position of the Second Division B – Group 2. It obtained 44 points and was only 5 of the direct descent (10 wins, 14 ties and 14 defeats, scoring 44 goals and conceding 46 on his fence). As a local player he recorded different results after winning 9 matches, drawing another 2 and losing the remaining 8 that he played in this condition (33 goals in favor and 27 in his goal). Apparently is an eleven that scores and yields goals when acting in its stadium, missing a certain balance between lines.
For this season, the leadership has confirmed the renewals of several players, among which the following stand out: Iker Seguín, Gorka Iturraspe, Haritz Mujika, Jon Tena, Mikel Álvaro, Matej Simic and Aitor Ortega. In terms of hiring, Iker Bilbao and Mikel Murgoitio from Gernika, Oli from Bilbao Athletic, Joseba Orbegozo from Sodupe and Iñigo Orozko from Sestao River have arrived. If we try to analyze what the team will do in this match, we believe that it will appeal to the brand over good football. Ideally, the newly arrived signings can be complemented correctly to the philosophy of coach Iñigo Vélez de Mendizabal, who is 36 years old and is just working on a path as a coach.
Athletic Bilbao:
The Basques have started their preseason with great enthusiasm after hiring Argentine coach Eduardo Berizzo, who already has European experience in directing Celta de Vigo and Sevilla. He came in replacement of Ziganda, coach who did not do a good job last season (16th place with 43 units). The goal of the “Lions” for the 2018-209 campaign is to recover the prestige of yesteryear and fight to qualify for European positions. The squad remains level, although several players have lowered their level compared to previous years. The logic indicates that the proposal of the team is offensive and direct, leaving aside the possession in excess. Berizzo is a DT of bielsista philosophy and will seek to repeat what Marcelo did when he trained Athletic and catapulted him in a great way to the European scene.
If we talk about the friendlies that the team will play during the preseason, these will be the following: The first against Amorebieta, the second against Barakaldo, the third against Duisburg in Germany, the fourth against Real Sociedad, the fifth against Hannover and the sixth before Augsburg. With 6 games played, Berizzo could already draw conclusions from his squad and make it adapt more and more to his football proposal. Anyway, it should be noted that the “Lions” have always maintained an offensive and vertical style, which will adapt very well to what the new coach calls for. If we talk about signings, the following players came to the institution: Ander Capa del Eibar, Cristian Ganea from Viitorul Constanta, Dani García from Eibar and Yuri Berchiche from PSG. They are no longer in the squad, Kike Sola, Saborit and Mikel Vesga.
Both teams have already played preseason friendly matches, but these were many years ago. In August 2011, Athletic Bilbao won 1-2 and in September 2013 won 0-4.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.64
