Basque Derby Set for Epic Copa del Rey Semi-Final Showdown
Athletic Club and Real Sociedad to face off in historic two-legged Copa del Rey semi-final, with San Mamés hosting first leg before decisive return at Anoeta in March.
The Basque Country is about to witness a proper barnstormer as Athletic Club and Real Sociedad have been drawn against each other in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, setting up the first derby clash in the competition since La Real’s triumph in the 2021 final.
Derby Details
The semi-final will be played over two legs, with dates now confirmed. The first encounter will take place at San Mamés this week, while the return leg at Anoeta is scheduled for early March (between the 3rd and 5th).
Nico Serrano, Athletic’s representative at the RFEF draw, couldn’t hide his excitement about the potential timing: “March 5th is my birthday. I’d love to celebrate it with a victory and qualification for the final.”
The winner of this mouthwatering derby will face either Atlético Madrid or Barcelona in the final, scheduled for April 18th or 19th.
Historical Context
You have to go all the way back to the 1986-87 season for the last time these Basque rivals met in a Copa semi-final. On that occasion, after a goalless draw in San Sebastián, Real Sociedad clinched a 1-0 away win in Bilbao to advance.
More recently, their paths crossed in that memorable 2021 final, which was actually the delayed 2020 showpiece that Real Sociedad won. Now they’ll lock horns again with another final spot at stake.
Team Conditions
Athletic will enter the first leg still dealing with a proper injury crisis:
- Iñaki Williams and Laporte have just returned from layoffs
- Vivian and Berenguer remain in the treatment room
- Nico is still working on his fitness
Ernesto Valverde’s men can’t fully focus on the cup tie either, as they face Levante in La Liga this Sunday, desperately seeking their first league win since December.
For La Real, the draw delivered exactly what they wanted - avoiding Barcelona and securing the second leg at home. The big question mark for Matarazzo is whether he’ll have Ander Barrenetxea available, with the talented winger missing recent matches including the league derby.
With minimal rotation in his squad and a match against Elche this Saturday, fatigue could become a factor for some of Real Sociedad’s key players who’ve been putting in a proper shift week in, week out.