Leganes Vs Athletic Club

In the sixth round of fixtures for the 2024-25 La Liga season, Leganes are set to welcome Athletic Bilbao to Estadio Municipal de Butarque for a Thursday evening clash. Both sides will be keen to secure three points, as the campaign is still in its early stages, yet crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the season. Leganes find themselves sitting 15th in the table with five points from five games, while Athletic Bilbao, a team with a rich La Liga history, are currently positioned in 10th place with seven points from their five outings. The contest represents a pivotal opportunity for both clubs to improve their league standings and build momentum moving forward.

Leganes’ return to Spain’s top division has been a significant moment for the club, marking their first season back in La Liga since the 2019-20 campaign. Upon promotion, the challenge for Leganes has been to secure their status in the top flight and avoid slipping back into the Segunda División. Under the guidance of Borja Jimenez, the team had a promising start to life in La Liga, showing resilience and determination in their opening fixtures.

Leganes kicked off their campaign with a decent run, managing to stay unbeaten in their first three matches. Their journey began with two hard-fought draws, followed by a crucial 1-0 victory in their third game, which boosted morale within the squad and among their supporters. However, their early success was short-lived as they faced setbacks in their next two outings. A narrow 1-0 loss to Mallorca on August 31 was followed by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis on September 13.

The loss to Mallorca was particularly significant for Leganes, as it marked the first time this season they finished a match with more than 50% possession. Despite controlling the ball, they were unable to convert their dominance into goals, highlighting a recurring issue in the team’s play — a lack of cutting edge in the final third. In their most recent defeat to Real Betis, Leganes struggled to create meaningful opportunities, managing only three shots throughout the game. Of those, just two were speculative long-range efforts, underscoring their difficulties in breaking down opposition defenses.

Leganes’ struggles in attack are further reflected in their statistical performances. Of the 20 teams currently competing in La Liga, Jimenez's side ranks lowest in average possession and has produced the second-lowest expected goals (xG) across their first five matches. Additionally, they have registered the fewest touches in the opposition's penalty area, which highlights their difficulties in mounting sustained attacking pressure.

Borja Jimenez, in his role as manager, faces a delicate balancing act. While it is crucial to ensure that Leganes are defensively solid, the team’s lack of offensive firepower is becoming a concern. The side's inability to create high-quality chances has placed significant pressure on their defense, forcing them to keep clean sheets in order to secure points. Unfortunately, as seen in their defeats to Mallorca and Real Betis, even minor defensive lapses can be costly when the team struggles to find the back of the net.

Jimenez's tactical setup has prioritized a compact defensive structure, often ceding possession in favor of maintaining shape. This approach has yielded mixed results. While it allowed Leganes to grind out points in their opening three matches, their inability to generate meaningful chances has been exposed in their recent defeats. The team's reliance on counterattacks and set-pieces has not produced the necessary offensive output, and Jimenez will need to find a way to make his side more potent in front of goal if they are to stay competitive in La Liga.

On the other side of the pitch, Athletic Bilbao have had a similarly inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season. The Basque club opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Getafe on August 15, followed by a tough 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on August 24. While Athletic Bilbao may have hoped for a better points tally from their opening fixtures, it is worth noting that their two losses have come against top-tier opposition in Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, two teams regularly competing for the league title.

Under the leadership of manager Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Bilbao have traditionally been a strong side in La Liga, known for their defensive solidity and ability to grind out results in difficult matches. However, this season has seen some uncharacteristic defensive fragility, with the team conceding six goals in their first five matches and managing just one clean sheet. Despite these concerns, Athletic Bilbao showed their resilience in their most recent outing, a thrilling 3-2 victory over Las Palmas on September 15.

The match against Las Palmas showcased both the strengths and weaknesses of Valverde’s side. While Athletic Bilbao were able to secure the win despite going down to 10 men following Mikel Jauregizar’s red card in the 56th minute, the fact that they conceded twice in a game where they largely dominated will be a cause for concern. Valverde will need to address these defensive lapses if his side are to challenge for European places this season.

One of the key issues facing Athletic Bilbao in recent seasons has been their inconsistent form away from home. In their last 12 away matches in La Liga, Bilbao have managed to win four, draw two, and lose six. This inconsistent record on the road has been a stumbling block for the team, preventing them from mounting a sustained challenge for a top-four finish. Valverde will be eager to improve this aspect of their game, starting with their visit to Leganes.

While Bilbao’s away form may not inspire confidence, their ability to grind out results cannot be overlooked. The team has shown time and time again that they are capable of pulling off victories in difficult circumstances, and their recent win against Las Palmas, despite being down to 10 men, is a testament to their fighting spirit. However, if they are to climb the table and compete for European qualification, they will need to find more consistency in their performances away from San Mamés.

Ernesto Valverde, now in his third spell as manager of Athletic Bilbao, remains one of the most respected coaches in Spanish football. Known for his pragmatic and flexible approach, Valverde has built a team that is difficult to break down, with a focus on defensive organization and quick transitions. While this has often served them well, the current season has seen cracks emerge in their defensive setup, as evidenced by the six goals they have conceded in just five matches.

Valverde’s team is built around a solid defensive core, with experienced players like Iñigo Martinez and Yuri Berchiche playing key roles in keeping the opposition at bay. However, injuries and suspensions have forced Valverde to rotate his squad, which may explain some of the defensive vulnerabilities they have displayed this season. The return of key players to full fitness will be crucial if Athletic Bilbao are to tighten up at the back and start keeping more clean sheets.

In attack, Athletic Bilbao rely heavily on the individual brilliance of players like Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams, both of whom have the ability to turn games on their own. The Williams brothers provide pace and creativity in the final third, and their ability to stretch defenses will be key against a Leganes side that is likely to sit deep and look to frustrate their visitors. Valverde will need his attacking players to be sharp and clinical if they are to break down a resolute Leganes defense.

For Leganes, much will depend on the performances of their defensive unit. Players like Kenneth Omeruo and Dimitrios Siovas will be crucial in keeping Athletic Bilbao’s attackers at bay. In midfield, Rubén Pérez will need to dictate the tempo of the game, while up front, the team will be looking to José Arnaiz to provide the cutting edge that has been lacking in recent matches.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, will be looking to their star players to step up once again. Nico Williams has been in fine form this season, and his pace and trickery on the wing will be a constant threat to Leganes’ backline. His brother, Iñaki Williams, will also be a key figure, with his ability to play both as a central striker and on the wings giving Valverde tactical flexibility.

This encounter promises to be a closely fought contest, with both teams looking to secure a much-needed win. Leganes will likely adopt a cautious approach, focusing on keeping things tight at the back and hoping to nick a goal on the counter-attack or from a set-piece. Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, will aim to dominate possession and use their attacking talent to break down Leganes’ defense.