Athletic's midfield enforcer ruled out for crucial Sporting clash
Valverde loses key midfielder Jauregizar to suspension for pivotal Champions League showdown, despite impressive Atalanta victory
Athletic Club’s European campaign takes a hit as their midfield pitbull faces a ban following their impressive away win in Italy.
Bergamo brilliance comes at a cost
The Lions are flying high after Wednesday’s statement victory against Atalanta in Bergamo, putting them in pole position to advance to the Champions League knockout phase play-offs. But the celebrations were tempered by the news that Jauregizar will miss their crucial final group game against Sporting Lisbon on January 28th.
The Bermeo-born midfielder picked up his third yellow card of the competition, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. Valverde, clearly with one eye on the weekend’s La Liga clash at Sevilla, withdrew Jauregizar just a minute after Guruzeta’s equaliser at the New Balance Arena.
Valverde’s selection headache
Losing Jauregizar is no small matter for Athletic:
- He’s played more minutes than any outfield player this season
- Only goalkeeper Unai Simón has spent more time on the pitch
- His defensive work rate has been crucial to Valverde’s system
The ‘Txingurri’ now faces some proper barney rubble (trouble) with his midfield selection against the Portuguese side, who will arrive in Bilbao knowing a win could propel them into the competition’s top eight.
Reinforcements on the horizon
It’s not all doom and gloom at San Mamés, though. The gaffer should have several key players back in contention for the Sporting showdown:
- Galarreta will likely step into a more prominent midfield role
- Yuri, Berenguer and Nico Williams are expected to return from injury
- Laporte could also be available, having been sidelined since December’s match against Atlético
The Basque outfit will need all hands on deck as they look to secure their passage to the next round in front of their passionate home support.