Today, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, marks an intriguing pre-season friendly clash between two familiar Basque rivals: Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club. This fixture, while an exhibition match, carries an underlying sense of local pride and offers both teams a crucial opportunity to prepare for the rigorous 2025/2026 La Liga season.
A Basque Derby in Pre-Season
The rivalry between Alavés and Athletic Club is a regional one, rooted in shared geography and a competitive history within Spanish football. While Athletic Club, based in Bilbao, often commands more national and international attention due to their unique cantera policy and historical success, Alavés, from Vitoria-Gasteiz, is a resilient club that consistently challenges established sides.
Historically, Athletic Club has held the upper hand in their encounters. Over their 29 previous meetings across various competitions, Athletic has secured 16 wins, compared to Alavés's 6, with 7 draws. The most recent competitive matches, including a 1-0 win for Athletic in La Liga in May 2025 and a 1-1 draw in December 2024, indicate that these matches are often tightly contested, low-scoring affairs. Athletic also knocked Alavés out of the Copa del Rey in January 2024 with a 2-0 victory. This friendly will be a chance for Alavés to test themselves against a team they often struggle to beat, and for Athletic to maintain their dominance.
Alavés: Building for Stability
Deportivo Alavés concluded the 2024/2025 La Liga season in 15th position, accumulating 42 points. Their objective for the upcoming season will undoubtedly be to secure their top-flight status once again and perhaps push for a more comfortable mid-table finish. Pre-season is vital for them to integrate new strategies and ensure their squad is physically prepared for the demands of the league.
Alavés has been active in the transfer market, with new additions like Real Madrid prospect Yusi and free agents Aleksandar Sedlar and Raul Fernandez. These signings suggest an effort to bolster their squad depth and inject fresh talent. This friendly provides the coaching staff with an early look at how these new players fit into the team's dynamics and contribute to their overall performance. Their recent form in late May 2025 saw a mix of results, including draws against Osasuna and Valencia, a win against Real Valladolid, and a loss to Athletic.
Athletic Club: Chasing European Ambitions
Athletic Club, on the other hand, had a strong 2024/2025 season, finishing 5th in La Liga with 68 points, securing a spot in European competition. Their focus will be on building on this success, integrating any new tactical nuances, and ensuring their core Basque-only philosophy continues to thrive.
The club's pre-season will be crucial for maintaining the high standards they set. Players like Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Oihan Sancet are key to their attacking play, while their robust defense, led by veterans, remains a cornerstone. Athletic's recent form leading up to this friendly includes a win against Ponferradina (1-0) in another friendly, but also a 0-3 loss to Barcelona in their final La Liga match of last season, highlighting areas they'll look to address.
The Friendly Encounter
While a friendly, this match between Alavés and Athletic Club is more than just a training exercise. It's an opportunity for:
Tactical Experimentation: Both coaches will likely test various formations, player combinations, and strategic approaches.
Player Assessment: New signings will get their first taste of action, and fringe players will aim to impress and earn a regular spot.
Match Fitness: It's a vital step in getting players up to optimal physical condition after the summer break.
Local Pride: Despite the friendly tag, expect a competitive edge as both teams will want to win for their local supporters.
Fans will be keen to observe how both teams approach the game, the sharpness of their passing, the intensity of their pressing, and the effectiveness of their attacking transitions. It's an early indicator of what to expect from these two Basque clubs in the upcoming La Liga campaign.
