A match stoppage sparked instant doubt. Saturday’s clash with Rayo was called off when paper and plastic balls rained onto the Vallecas pitch. LaLiga ruled out a behind‑closed‑doors replay later that day or the next, leaving fans wondering: when will the game be rescheduled?
Athletic travels to Mestalla this Saturday, then heads to Levante on Wednesday to finish the September 16 fixture. They host Getafe on the 25th at San Mamés, face Prat in the cup first leg on the 29th, and meet Real Sociedad in the derby on November 1. The first open week appears after that, yet the league has slated the Osasuna clash in El Sadar for Saturday the 7th. The only realistic slot is Wednesday the 4th, giving just three days between the derby and the next game against the rojillos. It’s a tight squeeze for the Basque side. For my money, Bilbao’s calendar is overly cramped.
After the Iruña showdown, Jagoba Arrasate takes over the bench after Ramis was dismissed yesterday by the Navarrese board, ushering in the season’s second pause. The next workable week begins Monday, 23 November, framing home‑soil Espanyol and an away trip to Málaga at La Rosaleda. Complications arise as December brings the cup’s second round, followed by the round of 16 mid‑month. Will the congested timetable force Athletic to reshuffle its priorities?