Athletic edge closer to Champions League with 0-0 draw
In a tight and tactical Basque derby on Sunday, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club played out a 0-0 draw at Reale Arena. With both sides eyeing European ambitions, this was a crucial clash in the La Liga calendar — one that delivered drama, intensity, and defensive solidity, if not goals.
Athletic rotate heavily with Europe in mind
Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde made seven changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final first leg. With the return leg at Old Trafford looming, key players like Nico Williams were left out of the squad entirely, clearly showing where Valverde’s priority lay.
Despite the rotated lineup, Athletic remained compact and organized, relying on their defensive structure to frustrate Real Sociedad. 
Few clear-cut chances in cautious contest
The match itself was a cagey affair. With both sides opting for safety over flair, clear scoring opportunities were rare. The best chance fell to Real Sociedad in the second half when Brais Mendez met a cross with a powerful header that forced a reflex save from Unai Simón — easily the moment of the match.
Takefusa Kubo tried to spark life into Sociedad’s attack, constantly probing down the right side, but lacked the final pass or support to make a real breakthrough.
What the draw means for La Liga standings
With this draw, Athletic Club maintain their stronghold on fourth place in La Liga with 61 points, four clear of sixth-placed Real Betis. With four matches remaining, they are in a favorable position to secure Champions League qualification — something the club hasn’t managed in nearly a decade.
Real Sociedad, meanwhile, moved to 11th, one point ahead of Valencia. Their hopes for European football next season are hanging by a thread, making their next matches must-win affairs.
Key Match Stats
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Final Score: Real Sociedad 0-0 Athletic Club
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Shots on Target: Real Sociedad 3, Athletic Club 1
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Yellow Cards: 6 (Total)
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Best Player: Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
Tactical Highlights: Basque Derby Betting Angles
Aside from the footballing implications, the Basque derby delivered on the betting front as well, especially in the cards and fouls markets.
Over 4.5 Cards Delivers Again
The fierce rivalry between these two sides continued to live up to expectations in terms of discipline. Over 4.5 cards have been shown in 17 of the last 22 Basque derbies, and Sunday’s match followed suit. With referee César Soto Grado overseeing the action, bettors who backed the card-heavy narrative were rewarded.
Inaki Williams Always in the Mix
Even though Inaki Williams was rested due to European commitments, his historical derby data is remarkable. He has committed at least one foul in 10 of his last 11 derbies — a stat worth keeping in mind for future meetings. Williams has also scored five goals in those fixtures, underlining his importance in these emotionally charged games.
Berchiche vs Aramburu: A Predictable Battle
Yuri Berchiche’s duel with Real Sociedad’s right-sided duo — particularly Jon Aramburu — was always going to be physical. Berchiche committed 2+ fouls in three of his last five derbies before this one, and Aramburu is consistently among the most-fouled Sociedad players. As predicted, this was one of the most intense matchups on the pitch
