King's Cup: Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao! With no proper central defender available, does Bilbao still have a chance?

Let's begin withthe Spanish King's Cup: Valencia vs Athletic Bilbao!

Bilbao’s injury situation today is shocking,with nearly the entire defensive line out of action.

While this is very unfortunate, there could be some positives.

Maybe it’s precisely because of these injuries that Bilbao will be compelled to play with focus.

Just how severe are Bilbao’s injuries today?

Putting aside other positions, the defense alone is in a critical state,to the point they might not even have a single professional central defender available!

They originally have five specialized central defenders, making that position quite well-stocked.

But now, with some injured, some suspended, and two uncertain to play, they actually have no fully fit professional central defender today.

Bilbao’s defense was already weak, and today it’s even more worrisome.

However, precisely because of these serious defensive injuries, their coach Valverde might take the match more seriously.

Why has Bilbao performed so poorly in La Liga this season? Is it just because of injuries?

I believeValverde’s attitude is the key: he hasn’t placed much importance on league results.

For example:Bilbao’s defensive line is positioned 45.6 meters from their own goal, the furthest in La Liga.

Note: Bilbao’s defense has been poor all season, with many injuries, so it’s inherently unreliable.

Yet Valverde still uses such an aggressive defensive line? Isn’t that just handing the opponent chances?

Back in September, why did Bilbao lose 2-0 to Valencia?

The main reason wastheir overly aggressive positioning, which led to a red card from Valencia’s counterattack.

At that time, Bilbao’s defense was also short-handed, for example Laporte was rushed into the lineup, making his first appearance this season and not in good form.

Still, Bilbao couldn’t lower their standards as a Champions League team and refused to play more cautiously, naturally suffering from Valencia’s counters.

Of course, we can understand why Valverde is so aggressive.

For Bilbao,this is just a transitional season with no high expectations for league resultsso Valverde doesn’t focus too much on winning; he prioritizes developing players and sticks to his tactics even if it means losing, unwilling to make temporary tactical changes.

But today’s match is different —it’s a single-elimination game; lose and you’re out.

Valverde probably won’t dare be as reckless as he is in the league.

In fact, Valverde can also play defensively.

For example, when he led Bilbao to the King’s Cup title in the 23/24 season,they managed to grind out 32% possession away against Atlético Madrid,showing he’s not just about blindly pressing the opponent.

Normally, Valverde would press teams like Valencia aggressively.

But with such serious defensive injuries now, he will likely be more cautious and pragmatic.

Actually, Valverde already feels some pressure.

In the last derby against Real Sociedad, because the team trailed for a long time,frustrated Bilbao fans started booing their own team.

Everyone is really unhappy with Bilbao’s results,even calling for Valverde’s dismissal.

Therefore,Bilbao’s captain Uria had to come forward after the match to express confidence that Valverde can turn things around.

Turn what around?

They are far behind in La Liga, knocked out of the Champions League, and crushed in the Spanish Super Cup — all three failures,only the King’s Cup remains to fight for.

It’s similar to Marseille yesterday; after failing on all other fronts, the domestic cup is the last hope.

Valencia’s attack is below average in La Liga, and their set-piece play is weak; if Bilbao plays low-key defense and counterattacks, Valencia will likely struggle to find openings.

So, although Valencia won the last encounter and Bilbao’s recent form is poor, what do you think about Bilbao’s chances today? Let’s hope they can secure at least a draw or a win in regular time.

Alright, for other matches today, I will share my written analysis tonight. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. “Watch the game clearly,” see you then!

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