Jesús Areso Returns to El Sadar as Athletic Faces Osasuna in New Year Derby
The first big derby of 2026 has kicked off at El Sadar, and all eyes are on Jesús Areso, who has returned to face his former club, Osasuna. After spending a couple of strong seasons in Pamplona, Areso was signed back by Athletic in the summer for a hefty 12 million euros, and today he starts the match on the bench, just as he ended last year—serving as backup to Andoni Gorosabel.
Areso’s move back to Bilbao was the result of weeks of intense negotiations between Osasuna and Athletic. Despite having several renewal offers from Osasuna, and interest from Atlético de Madrid, the young Navarrese decided to return to Lezama, the club where he began his career. Athletic was keen to secure a reliable replacement for Óscar de Marcos, and the management placed their faith in Areso, whose performances at Osasuna had drawn attention for their consistency and quality.
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Since his return, however, Areso has struggled to find regular rhythm in Bilbao. His appearances have alternated between starting and coming off the bench, and his best form has only appeared sporadically. Today, though, he is back on the familiar turf of El Sadar, and there’s curiosity over how the Osasuna fans will react. Many supporters remember his statement upon signing for Athletic, claiming he was “returning home,” which had left some bitter feelings among the local crowd.
The derby atmosphere is buzzing, with both teams having confirmed their line-ups and begun pre-match warm-ups. Osasuna will be looking to defend their home advantage and start the year on a high note, while Athletic hopes to set a positive tone for 2026 with a win. Among the early action, Lucas Torró of Osasuna had a left-footed strike from outside the box, showing the intensity and determination on the pitch.
As the first half progresses, the question remains whether Areso will get minutes on the field and, if so, how the Osasuna crowd will greet him. Will he be cheered for his skills or met with a reminder of his controversial exit? Either way, the match promises to be a fascinating start to the new year for LaLiga EA Sports, with emotions running high and history quietly echoing across the stands.
Fans from all over are tuning in, and those in Madrid can even catch the game on a big screen at Euskal Etxea, organized by the local Athletic supporters’ club. The 2026 season has officially begun with drama, nostalgia, and competitive fire on full display at El Sadar.
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