Match Pack: Athletic Club vs CA Osasuna (LaLiga MD16)

After more than two months, LaLiga returns to San Mamés and it does so with a derby - Athletic Club taking on CA Osasuna at The Cathedral.

It is a crucial match for both sides' European ambitions. Los Rojiblancos need three points to consolidate their hold over a qualification spot, while Osasuna will want to make sure they don't fall away from the race.

What's more, it is also the first home game of 2023, the Club's 125th anniversary year, so you can expect a raucous atmosphere at The Cathedral. Before kick-off, San Mamés will pay tribute to Txetxu Rojo with a minute's silence followed by applause.

After reaching the last 16 of the Copa, Ernesto Valverde's Lions will be looking for victory on what is sure to be a special night.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs CA Osasuna (Matchday 16)

San Mames (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Monday January 9, 21:00 CET

How to Watch
Use our global TV guide to make sure you don't miss the match, no matter where you are in the world.

Team News
Valverde has named a 24-man squad for the clash. With the exception of Iñigo Martínez who is out with a heel issue, the whole team is available to play.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with everything the Gaffer had to say at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Jagoba Arrasate

The Biscay-born coach has been at Osasuna since June 2018. Arrasate led Los Rojillos back to the Primera División in his first season in charge and has kept them in the top-flight ever since.

Previous to taking over at El Sadar, Jagoba managed CD Numancia, Real Sociedad - where he also held a variety of positions before leading the first-team - and CD Elgoibar.

Top scorer: Chimy Ávila

The 28-year-old Argentinian forward has six goals from 14 LaLiga appearances so far this campaign. Chimy joined Osasuna from SD Huesca ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. The striker got off to a flying start before a serious knee injury curtailed his progress.

He struggled to have the impact upon his return with only six goals from 36 league games last season, but it seems the energetic player is now getting back to his best.

Recent form (LaLiga): DWWLL

Osasuna suffered a 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad on their return to LaLiga action. Arrasate's team will be desperate for a positive result which could keep them in the hunt for European qualification.

Previous Meeting
CA Osasuna's first ever LaLiga visit to Bilbao was came in the 1935/36 season, Athletic winning 2-0. In total the two sides have met in the top-flight 82 times, with Athletic winning 41 matches, drawing 22 and losing 19.

As for matches played at San Mamés, Athletic haved tended to come out on top. Out of 41 clashes, the Lions have won 23, drawn 11 and lost just seven.

In terms of the last five meetings between the two teams in Bilbao, Athletic have won two matches, drawn twice and lost once.

In last season's edition of this fixture, the Lions won 2-0 in front of almost 38,000 fans thanks to strikes from Alex Berenguer and Asier Vilalibre.