Athletic Club vs Slavia Prague

On Thursday, Athletic Bilbao will host Slavia Prague at the iconic San Mames Stadium for their third match of the Europa League group stage. Both teams are eager to keep their unbeaten records intact after gathering four points from their first two fixtures.

Match Preview

Athletic Bilbao, under the guidance of head coach Ernesto Valverde, is embarking on their first European adventure since the 2017-18 season. After securing a commendable fifth-place finish in La Liga last season, they are relishing the opportunity to compete on the continental stage once again. With the Europa League final scheduled to be held at San Mames, the aspirations of Los Leones are high; they dream of making a deep run in this year's tournament.

The team has made a promising start to their Europa League campaign, collecting four points from their initial encounters against Roma and AZ Alkmaar. In their opening match against Roma, Athletic demonstrated resilience when Aitor Paredes scored an equalizer in the 85th minute, securing a hard-fought point in the Italian capital. They followed that up with a solid performance at home, where second-half goals from Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet propelled Athletic to a 2-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in their second group match.

Despite suffering a setback with a league defeat against Girona shortly after their win against AZ, Athletic bounced back impressively. Returning from the international break, they showcased a commanding display in a 4-1 triumph over Espanyol. Inaki Williams played a crucial role, netting two goals, while Dani Vivian and Alex Berenguer contributed to the scoring. This victory marked a significant achievement for Valverde's side, as they have now gone four consecutive home matches without a loss, recording three wins and one draw. This form has instilled confidence in the team as they prepare for Thursday’s encounter, aiming for a third straight home win.

On the other side, Slavia Prague entered this European season with ambitions of reaching the Champions League group stage. However, their hopes were dashed following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Lille in the playoff round. Consequently, the Czech side was relegated to the Europa League, where they have been striving to establish their presence.

Slavia has quickly moved past the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League, maintaining an unbeaten start in the Europa League that currently places them in ninth position, just ahead of Athletic, who sit in 12th, thanks to a superior goal difference. In their group stage opener, Matej Jurasek and Mojmir Chytil each found the back of the net, leading Slavia to a convincing 2-0 away victory against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets. They followed this with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at home against Ajax, where Tomas Chory's goal was pivotal in securing a point.

Jindrich Trpisovsky’s squad continued their positive momentum after the draw with Ajax, achieving consecutive 2-1 victories over rivals Sparta Prague and Jablonec in the Czech First League. These results have bolstered Slavia's confidence, placing them six points clear at the summit of their domestic league.

Overall, Slavia has been in formidable form, winning eight of their last nine matches across all competitions, with just one draw marking their only slip-up during this impressive run. It has been over two months since they last tasted defeat, which came during the first leg of their Champions League playoff against Lille. Since that setback, they have secured four consecutive away victories, demonstrating their ability to perform on the road.

However, Slavia Prague is acutely aware that defeating Athletic Bilbao will be a significant challenge. The Basque club has shown exceptional home form, suffering only one loss in their last 28 competitive matches at San Mames, making it a daunting prospect for the visitors.

Tactical Analysis

Both teams come into this match with distinct playing styles and tactics that will shape the contest. Athletic Bilbao is known for their high-energy, pressing game, utilizing their pace on the wings and direct attacking play. The combination of experienced players like Inaki Williams and the youthful energy of Oihan Sancet creates a dynamic attacking front that can exploit defensive weaknesses.

Under Valverde's leadership, the team has emphasized possession-based football, seeking to control the tempo of the game. This approach was evident in their recent matches, where they maintained ball possession and built up play from the back, relying on the creativity of their midfielders to unlock opposition defenses. The return of key players from injury will further strengthen their squad as they seek to capitalize on their home advantage.

Conversely, Slavia Prague’s tactical setup tends to be more pragmatic, focusing on solid defensive organization and quick counterattacks. Trpisovsky’s side is adept at transitioning from defense to attack, utilizing the speed of their wingers and the clinical finishing ability of their forwards. The team’s recent successes have been built on a robust defensive foundation, allowing them to absorb pressure and hit opponents on the break.

The matchup between Athletic's attacking flair and Slavia's disciplined defending will be a focal point of the game. The ability of both teams to adapt to the other's strategy will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.

Key Players to Watch

For Athletic Bilbao, Inaki Williams will be a crucial player to watch. His pace and ability to find the back of the net make him a constant threat to opposing defenses. Williams' partnership with Oihan Sancet could prove vital in breaking down Slavia's organized backline. Furthermore, the midfield creativity of Dani Vivian will be essential in linking defense and attack, providing the necessary service to the forwards.

On the side of Slavia Prague, Mojmir Chytil is a player who can make a significant impact. His ability to stretch the play and deliver precise crosses will be vital in creating goal-scoring opportunities. Additionally, Matej Jurasek’s versatility and experience will be instrumental in orchestrating the midfield, ensuring that Slavia can control the game's pace and territory.

Conclusion

As Athletic Bilbao prepares to take on Slavia Prague at San Mames, both teams are well aware of the importance of this match in the context of their Europa League campaigns. Athletic will aim to leverage their home advantage and build on their strong start, while Slavia will seek to maintain their unbeaten record and continue their upward trajectory in the tournament.

With both teams in good form and vying for crucial points, this matchup promises to be an engaging and competitive affair. Fans can expect an exciting display of football, as each side strives to assert their dominance in Group H of the Europa League. As the atmosphere at San Mames intensifies, the stage is set for a memorable encounter between two determined sides.