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Match preview
Will 2020 and 2021 Copa del Rey runners-up Athletic Club move one step closer to another appearance at Estadio de La Cartuja?
The Lions are 23-times winners of this competition, only Barça can boast more, although the most-recent of these triumphs came in 1984, losing in six finals subsequently.
So far this season, Ernesto Valverde have overcome three lower-league clubs on the road, comfortably seeing off Alzira, Sestao and Eldense.
However, Athletic come into this one following a 3-1 drubbing in Saturday night’s Basque derby at the hands of Real Sociedad.
Oihan Sancet did half the deficit on the cusp of half time, but Yeray Álvarez’s red card, that also gave away a penalty, ended all hopes of a comeback.
So, having won just two of their last ten La Liga matches, Athletic have slipped out of the European places and down to eighth.
However, that’s one of just three league victories Blanquiazules have enjoyed so far, leaving them perilously close to the drop zone.
On Sunday though, Diego Martínez’s team claimed their first win since 16 October, beating Getafe 2-1, with Joselu and then Javi Puado on target.
In this competition, Espanyol proved to be too strong for Rincón and Atlético Paso in early rounds, before needing extra time to oust Celta de Vigo at the start of this month.
So, the four-times winners are on the cusp of their first quarter-final appearance in four seasons.
Will Athletic Club make home advantage count at San Mamés?
