Athletic Club to face Sestao River in Copa

Athletic Club have drawn Biscay-based outfit Sestao River Club in the Second Round of the 2022/23 Copa.

The single-leg tie will take place between 20 and 22 December at Las Llanas, the ground Los Leones visited for the same round of the Copa back in 2019/20.

Due to the conditions of the draw, Copa matches are always played at the stadium of the lower-ranked side, meaning the stadium will once again become the setting for a Biscay football party.

The two teams met in the competition three seasons ago, in a match Athletic won 0-4, with Asier Villalibre and Yuri Berchiche both scoring twice.

The Biscayan side have faced off on three other occasions in the Copa. In the 1988/89 season, the Zurigorri won the second leg 1-0 after a goalless draw in the first leg at Las Llanas.

In the 1988/89 season, the Zurigorri won the second leg 1-0 after a goalless draw in the first leg at Las Llanas. In 1981/82 the Lions went through to the follwing around after a 2-0 comeback from a 1-0 first leg defeat in Sestao. And in 1982/83, Los Rojiblancos progressed when they won the first leg 1-0 and played out a goalless draw in the return leg at San Mamés.

Sestao, coached by Aitor Calle, are currently leading Segunda RFEF Group 2 with 24 points, after seven wins and three draws.