Athletic Club and Osasuna Draw in Copa del Rey Clash

 In a highly anticipated Copa del Rey Round of 16 match at San Mamés, Athletic Club and CA Osasuna played to a 0-0 draw. The encounter was marked by a significant opportunity for Athletic's Iñaki Williams, who came close to scoring. Despite this, the Bilbao side couldn't capitalize, resulting in a goalless stalemate in their first home game of the year.

This fixture rekindled memories of their 2023 semifinal meeting, where Athletic suffered a tough defeat, with Nico Williams missing several key chances. Seeking redemption, Athletic aimed to leverage their impressive record in single-elimination matches, boasting 26 consecutive victories since 2003. However, the team faced challenges off the pitch, as their Grada de Animación chose not to participate in support, protesting against the club's management over alleged unjust sanctions and police actions. Additionally, Athletic was without Bryan Zaragoza and had several players sidelined due to injuries. Osasuna, in contrast, arrived in good form, having advanced by defeating Tenerife in the previous round.

The match's intensity was heightened by the backdrop of player transfers between the clubs. Patxi Puñal, a former Osasuna player and current head of their youth academy, highlighted that while Athletic previously acquired players from Osasuna's Tajonar academy with ease, they now must negotiate and pay for such transfers. He also expressed admiration for the atmosphere at San Mamés and, humorously, mentioned that he would prefer not to face key Athletic players like Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, and Sancet.

The goalless draw means both teams will have to wait for the outcome of other fixtures to determine their path forward in the Copa del Rey. The match showcased the competitive spirit and rich history between these Basque rivals, setting the stage for potential future encounters in the tournament.