Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Cádiz CF (LaLiga MD13)

Athletic Club face Cádiz CF in Bilbao this Friday night. The Lions are unbeaten in their last five matches and will be hoping to keep that run going.

Three points could potentially see Athletic move closer to the European qualification spots. Especially as they have a game in hand on the three teams above them.

However, they will face tough opposition in the form of Cádiz CF, an opponent desperate not to be dragged into a relegation battle and with a penchant for picking up results when their backs are against the wall.

Fans of both sides have a great rapport, so the pre and post-match atmosphere in Bilbao and around San Mamés should be fantastic.

Match info

Athletic Club vs Cádiz CF (Matchday 13)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 2021-22

Friday November 5, 21:00 CET

How to watch

We’ve made a list containing all the TV channels and kick-off times across the world to help make sure you don’t miss Friday’s match.

Team news

The Gaffer has named a 21-man squad for the clash. Bilbao Athletic defender Aitor Paredes is called up as cover for Iñigo Martínez, who is suspended after picking up a red card against Real Sociedad, and Dani Vivian, who went off injured against RCD Espanyol.

Young forward Nico Serrano, who made his debut earlier in the season, is also back in the squad. Left-back Mikel Balenziaga is also available for selection again after overcoming the stomach problems which kept him out of the Basque Derby.

Striker Asier Villalibre remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, and midfielder Oier Zarraga is out with a calf injury.

Marcelino’s comments

Marcelino stressed that the Lions must have their heads switched on against Cádiz CF, a side who have developed a reputation for grabbing surprise results in the past.

The manager also reiterated the important role Athleticzales will play in helping Los Rojiblancos finish high up the LaLiga Santander table. Read more from Marcelino’s pre-match press conference.

The opponents

League position: 18th

Form over the last five LaLiga matches: DLLDD

Last match: 1-1 vs RCD Mallorca (H)

Head coach: Álvaro Cervera

A winger in his playing days, Cervera spent most of his professional career at Racing Santander, RCD Mallorca and Valencia CF. He moved into coaching in 2002 and worked at a range of clubs before arriving at Cádiz in April 2016. His first task was to secure promotion out of the Segunda B Division, something which he achieved in June 2016.

Under Cervera, Cádiz became one of the most competitive sides in the Segunda, regularly finishing in the play-off spots. They won automatic promotion to LaLiga Santander in 2019-20 after finishing in second place.

The Andalusians were something of a revelation last season, their first top-flight campaign since 2005-06, managing a 12th-place finish, while also pulling off memorable victories over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (0-1) and FC Barcelona at the Carranza (2-1).

Star man: Anthony Lozano

Striker ‘Choco’ Lozano became the first Cádiz player to score a hat-trick in the Primera Division since Jorge ‘Magico’ González some 35 years earlier. The Honduran striker made his professional debut at the age of 15, the youngest player in the country’s history to do so.

He was signed by Valencia in 2015, but never managed to make a senior appearance for the side. The 28-year-old forward had several loan spells away from Valencia, and returned to his home country for a while, before making a LaLiga Santander debut at Girona FC in 2018.

In September 2019, Cádiz signed Lozano on a loan deal which was eventually made permanent. He has scored a total of 17 goals in 72 appearances since moving to the south-coast side.

Previous meetings

Athletic have only faced Cádiz at San Mamés in LaLiga 14 times. However, the Lions’ record against the Andalusians is quite favourable, with 11 victories, two draws and just one loss.

The only defeat came last season, with Los Rojiblancos losing 0-1 at home. The previous fixture in Bilbao came in 2005-06, Athletic winning 1-0 thanks to a Tiko penalty in stoppage time.