Athletic have found it very difficult to keep possession in midfield, with the wings doing most of the attacking work. That has isolated Williams, who has struggled to get involved in play. Perhaps the addition of another striker to play alongside him will be of benefit; as Villalibre is available from the bench. Sociedad have done well to get the ball in attacking areas but are missing the cutting edge necessary to take the lead. Fortunately for Alguacil - he has a number of options to change things up including Bautista, Fernandez and former Manchester United winger Januzaj.
Both sides enter the half-time interval level at 0-0 after a tightly contested affair. The two Basque clubs looked nervous in the early going, with the occasion and the rain combining for a loose and sloppy opening quarter-hour. Sociedad seem to have shaded the contest so far, with more possession and more total shots, though the best chance seems to have fallen to Athletic, via Martinez’s accurate shot from distance. The tempo and the aggression seemed to have picked up as the first half rolled on - making for what should be a fascinating second period.
45' + 1' HALF-TIME: ATHLETIC BILBAO 0-0 REAL SOCIEDAD.
45' The fourth official indicates there will be one minute added for stoppages at the end of the first half.
43' Remiro comes flying off of his line to catch the ball on the edge of the six-yard box, before Williams’ cross was allowed to find Raul Garcia at the far post.
41' Sociedad are once again in control of possession with just five minutes left in the first half. It doesn’t look like either side will be able to break the deadlock before the interval, though the two sides seem more intent on not conceding, than on scoring.
39' Athletic Bilbao are put in a curious position today, competing in a Copa del Rey final (last years’ postponed showpiece) against Real Sociedad just nine days ahead of their 2020/21 cup final, when they will play Barcelona.
37' With over 30 minutes gone in the final, neither side have convinced enough to deserve the lead. It’s been a tight affair, though Real Sociedad seem to just be edging it on the balance of play; seeing more possession and taking more shots.
33' WHAT A SAVE FROM REMIRO! Simon boots the ball away from his goal, finding Martinez with pinpoint accuracy. The centre-back makes the most of his forward position, cutting inside and firing a laser which would have crept in just under the crossbar had the Sociedad goalkeeper not been alert to the danger.
31' Muniain takes a corner towards the edge of the six-yard box, but Oyarzabal is back to do his defensive work, getting a head to the ball to clear it away.
29' Muniain bursts into the penalty area with trademark speed, before turning Gorosabel around with a beautiful cut inside. The Athletic captain gets a bit too fancy, trying to cut back and have a strike, but he allows the Sociedad full-back to regain his footing and make a great clearing tackle.
27' Sociedad try to make something happen down the right through Gorosabel, but his early cross to Isak is watched well by Martinez.
25' Monreal slowly makes his way forward to get involved in the attack but loses possession to the backtracking Berenguer. The counter-attack was on, but a smart and cynical foul from the former Arsenal full-back stops play, allowing him to get back into a defensive position.
23' CLOSE! Sociedad pile on the pressure after Isak is played through on goal, but he’s unable to turn a shot towards Simon, drawing the keeper off his line and passing back to David Silva. The Athletic defence does well to close down the space and force a subsequent pass to the right flank, from where a cross is delivered into the arms of the goalkeeper.
21' The 2019/20 Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad is the first all-Basque cup final since 1927, when Real Union beat Arenas 1-0 after extra time.
19' Oyarzabal takes a corner-kick to the far post for Gorosabel, but Portu gets himself involved, jumping over the back of Martinez and sending the centre-back to the ground. It’s a free-kick for Athletic from inside their own 18-yard box.
17' Berenguer gets into a good position on the right and flashes a dangerous, low cross into the middle of the penalty area for Williams. All it needed was a touch to take it past Remiro, but a crucial touch from Zubeldia puts it the other way.
15' Incredible vision from Oyarzabal who plays a fantastic pass from inside his own half between Athletic’s centre-backs for the run of Portu. The captain put just a little too much power on his delivery, allowing Simon to gather - but it was well worth the try.
13' Real Sociedad are taking every opportunity they can to keep the ball in their own half and slow down the play. Le Normand and Zubeldia seem comfortable keeping possession in their ranks, moving Athletic’s attack from left to right in search of space.
11' A long delivery down the right finds its way through the Athletic defence for Isak, who keeps the play alive by finding David Silva. The playmaker looks to change the angle of the attack, but De Marcos steps across and intercepts the pass.
9' Athletic are pressing extremely quickly as soon as Sociedad make a pass backwards, with Williams and Raul Garcia immediately looking to catch Le Normand in possession. It’s forcing Alguacil’s side to move the ball around rapidly; perhaps too much so.
7' The heavens have opened up as the rain continues to hammer down in the south of Spain. It’s beginning to affect the way the match is played after Raul Garcia’s pass dies in the grass as water begins to accumulate.
5' Oyarzabal sprints down the left flank and plays a pass forward for Oyarzabal, who is forced to foul De Marcos, who had shielded the ball effectively. It’s a free-kick for Athletic, who can clear their lines with the set-piece.
3' It’s a frenetic start from both sides, who are looking to get the ball forward into opposition territory as quickly as possible. Both XIs seem nervous as the rain pours down in Sevilla, with neither able to keep the ball for any length of time.
1' Real Sociedad get the match underway from the kick-off!
Real Sociedad opt for a 4-3-3, with ex-Arsenal full-back Monreal lining up alongside Le Normand, Zubeldia and Gorosabel. The midfield trio features former Manchester City magician David Silva beside Zubimendi and Merino, while Portu and Oyarzabal flank either side of Isak.
Athletic line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Simon protected by a back four of De Marcos, Yeray, former Sociedad defender Martinez and Berchiche. Dani Garcia and Vencedor are expected to hold in midfield while the trio of Berenguer, Raul Garcia and captain Muniain supply striker Williams.
REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS: Gaizka Ayesa, Aritz Elustondo, Aihen Munoz, Mobido Sagnan, Ander Guevara, Carlos Fernandez, Adnan Januzaj, Ander Barrenetxea, Jon Bautista.
REAL SOCIEDAD XI (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Nacho Monreal, Robin Le Normand, Igor Zubeldia, Andoni Gorosabel; David Silva, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino; Mikel Oyarzabal, Alexander Isak, Cristian Portu.
ATHLETIC SUBS: Jokin Ezkieta, Unai Nunez, Mikel Vesga, Ibai Gomez, Unai Lopez, Inigo Lekue, Asier Villalibre, Ander Capa, Mikel Balenziaga.
ATHLETIC XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar De Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Martinez, Yuri Berchiche; Dani Garcia, Unai Vencedor; Alex Berenguer, Raul Garcia, Iker Muniain; Inaki Williams.
With 10 minutes to go before kick-off, let's take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with Athletic Bilbao!
Athletic Bilbao come into the match in better form with two draws in their last two fixtures, though it can’t get much worse for Sociedad - whose 1-0 defeat to Granada was followed up with a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona just before the international break. It is today’s visitors who lead in the table, however, with 10 points separating Imanol Alguacil’s side in 6th from Marcelino’s, who occupy 9th.
Postponed last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, both Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad have been eagerly anticipating this fixture; the first time the two Basque rivals will face in a Copa del Rey final. It’s been over three decades since either club has lifted the famous trophy, though Athletic have found silverware since then in the form of two Spanish Supercups in the last six years.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad!
