The Bilbao team faces one of the season's last Basque derbies today at San Mamés against Osasuna. This match is crucial for securing three points to ward off doubts and keep their European competition aspirations alive. Osasuna has proven to be a tough opponent for Athletic in recent times in Bilbao, especially in the Copa del Rey. In fact, the last victory for the rojiblancos at La Catedral against the rojillo team dates back to the penultimate matchday of the 2021-22 season.

On that occasion, Athletic defeated the Navarrese team 2-0. That victory marked the farewell match for coach Marcelino García Toral at San Mamés and the last appearance of Aitor Elizegi as president of the Bilbao entity. The goals were scored by Alex Berenguer, who came on for an injured Raúl García in the 20th minute and headed in a corner taken by Iker Muniain, and by Asier Villalibre, currently a Racing striker, who finished a great counter-attack with a final assist from Iñaki Williams.

Those three points gave Athletic a slim chance of qualifying for the Europa League, provided they defeated Sevilla at the Pizjuán on the final matchday and Villarreal did not overcome Celta at La Cerámica stadium. However, this combination did not materialize, as the rojiblancos lost and the Yellow Submarine did not falter.

That was Marcelino's last service for an Athletic team already anticipating presidential elections to be held the following June. During that campaign, the option of the Asturian's continuity at the club was dismissed, as none of the three candidates had backed his figure. As is known, Jon Uriarte surprisingly won those elections, ahead of Iñaki Arechabaleta and Ricardo Barkala. Curiously, the re-elected Bilbao businessman will return to the San Mamés box today, hoping to witness the lions' first victory over Osasuna in Bilbao since he became president.