Athletic Club Faces Osasuna in Copa del Rey Quarterfinal Rematch

BILBAO, Spain — Athletic Club and Osasuna will clash in a highly anticipated Copa del Rey quarterfinal match on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at San Mamés Stadium. The encounter marks a rematch of their dramatic 2023 semifinal, where Osasuna ultimately advanced to the final but fell to Real Madrid.

The stakes are high as both teams aim to secure a spot in the semifinals. Athletic Club, known as “Los Leones,” boasts an impressive record in single-elimination Copa del Rey matches, having won 26 consecutive ties over the past two decades. Their last elimination in this format dates back to October 7, 2003, against Gimnástica de Torrelavega.

Osasuna, meanwhile, enters the match with confidence, having lost only once in their last seven visits to Bilbao. The team from Pamplona has a strong contingent of Navarran players, with 14 athletes from the region split between the two squads. Notably, Athletic’s Nico Williams seeks redemption after a disappointing performance in the 2023 semifinal, where he missed several key opportunities.

Ernesto Valverde, Athletic’s head coach, emphasized the importance of unity ahead of the match. “If we are all together, we are always stronger,” he said during a pre-match press conference. Valverde also addressed ongoing tensions with the club’s fan group, Iñigo Cabacas Herri Harmaila (ICHH), which has suspended its support due to disputes with the board.

On the field, Athletic will miss midfielder Oihan Sancet, who is sidelined with an ankle sprain sustained during a league match at El Sadar. Osasuna, led by coach Vicente Moreno, will be without Bryan Zaragoza, who is being rested to avoid risking injury.

The match also highlights the journeys of several players with ties to both clubs. Pablo Ibáñez, a Navarran midfielder for Athletic, faces his former team with renewed determination. “He has become a top-division player through his intelligence,” said a source close to the player. Meanwhile, Adama Boiro, who joined Athletic from Osasuna two seasons ago, aims to make an impact against his former teammates.

As the teams prepare for kickoff, the atmosphere at San Mamés promises to be electric, with fans eager to witness another chapter in this storied rivalry.