Athletic to face SD Eibar in 2023/24 Copa round of 32

Athletic Club have drawn LaLiga Hypermotion side SD Eibar in the Copa 2023/24 round of 32. The single-legged tie will take place on January 7, Sunday, at 19:00 CET.

All matches before the semi-finals, which are played over two-legs, are held at the stadium of the team playing in a lower division. In this case, Athletic will travel to Ipurua.

The Armeros beat CF Lorca Deportiva and UD Melilla (on penalties) in the first two rounds. Eleven years ago today, on 12 December 2012, Athletic Club and SD Eibar last met in the Copa, where they have played each other on six occasions, with the Bilbao side registering three wins and three draws.

Although Athletic are unbeaten against Eibar in the Copa, the Azulgrana went through to the next round on away goals in 2012. We drew 0-0 draw in Gipuzkoa and 1-1 in what was the last Copa clash at the old San Mames.

In that 2012/13 season, Eibar were competing in the now defunct Segunda División B and were coached by former Zurigorri manager Gaizka Garitano and Dani García played in the midfield.

From there Eibar climbed to the elite, where they remained for seven years, from 2014 to 2021. At present, legendary former Lion Joseba Etxeberria is in charge at the LaLiga Hypermotion outfit, while Unai Vencedor is there on loan from Athletic.

Ager Aketxe, who played 34 games with the Zurigorri jersey, is a standout member of the current squad. Furthermore, Anaitz Arbilla and Yanis Rahmani came up through the Lezama youth academy.

Ernesto Valverde's squad includes Eibar native Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who could possibly play in his hometown. Undoubtedly, it will be a very special date for many.