Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Sevilla FC (LaLiga MD17)

After two consecutive away games, Athletic Club return to Bilbao, where they will take on Sevilla FC at San Mamés.

It will be the toughest of tests for Marcelino’s Lions, as the Andalusians are one of the most consistent teams in the division, currently sitting second in LaLiga Santander. However, it is vital Athletic get back to winnings ways and take home all three points on Saturday night.

Match Info
Sevilla FC (Matchday 17)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 2021/22

Saturday December 11, 21:00 CET

How to Watch

Use our list of global kick-off times and LaLiga TV operators to make sure you don’t miss the match.

Team News

Marcelino has named a 22-man squad for the fixture. Young forward Nico Serrano has been brought back into the squad. While Asier Villalibre, Yuri Berchiche, Dani Vivian and Peru Nolaskoain remain on the sidelines due to their respective injury issues.

Marcelino’s Comments

Marcelino stressed his belief Athletic will improve in front of goal and pick up results while calling for the fans to get behind the players at San Mamés.

Read up on the rest of the manager’s pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

League position: 2nd

Form over last five LaLiga matches: WWDLW

Last match: 1-0 win vs Villarreal CF (H)

Head coach: Julen Lopetegui

The Basque head coach joined Sevilla in June 2019 and led the side to Europa League glory in his first season in charge. Before taking over at the Estadio Sánchez Pizjuán, Lopetegui had spells as manager of Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid B, Spain Under-21s, Porto, Spain national team and Real Madrid.

Star man: Rafa Mir

The powerful striker is Sevilla current top goalscorer in LaLiga with five goals in 14 appearances. The centre-forward started his career at Valencia B, scoring a total of 25 goal in 60 matches.

Mir signed for Premier League side, Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2018, but spent most of his time on loan at other clubs. He had stints at Las Palmas, Nottingham Forest and SD Huesca.

He made a big impact during his two-year spell with SD Huesca, where he bagged 25 goals in 58 appearances, earning him a move to Sevilla in August 2021.

Previous Meetings
A LaLiga classic, Sevilla have played at The Cathedral 77 times since their first visit to Bilbao back in 1934. Athletic have a favourable home record against the Andalusians, with 50 wins, 10 draws and 17 losses.

From 2010-11 until 2019-20, the Lions did not lose a single league point against Sevilla at San Mamés, winning nine matches in a row. The streak was broken in 2019-20, but the Lions hit straight back in 2020-21.

On that occasion, the Rojiblancos had to dig deep to win. Down 0-1 after nine minutes, Athletic fought back in the last quarter with Iker Muniain and Oihan Sancet leading the side to a dramatic 2-1 victory.