The Amorebieta, faced with a ‘central problem’

The victory of Amorebieta achieved this Sunday at Los Pajaritos against Numancia keeps the blues in the close fight to enter the play-off positions. Three vital points achieved against a direct rival forged with the team’s punch in the first half and the defensive solidarity shown during the second period. But, above all, it will pass a significant bill to those of Urritxe.

The referee of the match, the Asturian Fernández Buergo, had the ‘aim’ to send off three players who occupy the same position: center-backs. The first to have to take the road to the locker room early was Xiker Ozerinjauregi, who saw the direct red card as soon as the second period began. A set in which Zalla’s man arrived late at the crossing and hit his rival’s leg. A fortuitous set that could well have resulted in a yellow card, but no.

With one less on the frozen grass of Los Pajaritos, Amorebieta controlled the game as best they could. But the panorama became very dark in the final minutes. Juan Rodríguez saw his second yellow at 89′. Another central expelled. But there was still more. Xabi Etxeita, who was going to start but in the end was left on the bench due to discomfort, also saw a direct red card for angrily protesting a game incident. Third target of the Asturian braid.

What is truly serious is not that Amorebieta ended the game with nine players in the box, it is the tremendous bill that it entails for the clash this coming Sunday in Urritxe against Real Unión. Haritz Mujika will only be able to count on a specific central defender to build his defense against the border team: Javi Murua, who was precisely serving the penalty in Soria derived from his red card in the derby against Sanse.

few variables

With Beñat Garro rescinded and enrolled in the ranks of Portugalete, and unless Asier Goiria comes up with an express incorporation to cover absences, the Pasajes coach will have to manage to form the axis of the rear. The most predictable option is that Yriarte is next to Murua, whom Mujika has already placed there improvisedly, with a good performance from the Venezuelan.

To form a dance partner with Kwasi Sibo in midfield, the coach has many more alternatives. Albisua, Cantón or Iturraspe can act in that area, depending on what the zornotzarras coach is looking for. He could even place Julen Jon Guerrero there, who made his debut in Soria playing his first minutes in the Amorebieta shirt. The Bilbao native has acted on occasions in that area of ​​midfield, although it seems the least plausible alternative.

The option of resorting to one of the cards to try to free one of the central defenders from complying with a sanction does not seem to have much of an impact in the offices either, according to the wording of the minutes. The red card to Xiker was for “making a tackle on an opponent in the dispute for the ball. using excessive force.” The double warning to Juan Rodríguez was for “recklessly knocking down an opponent while fighting for the ball” and “recklessly hitting an opponent with his arm while fighting for the ball.” Etxeita, for his part, was expelled from the bench for “throwing a bottle with excessive force onto the pitch, failing to hit anyone.”