Sancet Benched as Osasuna Host Athletic Club in Basque Derby

Osasuna and Athletic Club have confirmed their starting XIs for tonight's LaLiga Basque derby at Estadio El Sadar, and the headline selection is Oihan Sancet's absence from the Athletic starting lineup. The midfielder begins on the bench.

Both teams set up in a 4-2-3-1. For Osasuna, Jagoba Arrasate keeps faith with the shape that has made El Sadar a difficult trip this season. Athletic mirror that structure under Edin Terzić, but the personnel in the attacking line is where the game's first question sits.

Sancet's move to the bench is the most consequential call of the night. Without him in the starting XI, Athletic lose a runner from deep who typically arrives in the box late. Terzić has instead opted for a more conservative double pivot ahead of the back four, with the attacking midfield line asked to carry the creative load.

That puts pressure on Álex Berenguer, who starts in the attacking line. Berenguer has yet to score this season, and his ability to link with the striker will determine whether Athletic can generate enough from open play without Sancet's late runs.

Osasuna's 4-2-3-1 is built around Ante Budimir at the top. The striker has zero goals in the key-player data, but his role as the focal point remains unchanged. Arrasate's side will look to get the ball into Budimir early and often, with Abel Bretones providing width from left-back.

Alejandro Catena starts in central defence, and Aitor Fernández is in goal. Osasuna's defensive structure will be tested by Athletic's wide overloads, particularly if Berenguer drifts inside to find space between the lines.

Both managers have chosen continuity in shape but divergence in personnel. Arrasate's Osasuna is set up to be compact and direct, using Budimir as a battering ram and Bretones as an outlet. Terzić's Athletic, without Sancet from the start, looks more reliant on Berenguer and the wide players to create.

The game kicks off with both teams level on points in the early-season table, and the Basque derby carries its usual edge. Sancet's bench role is the first tactical subplot; whether Terzić turns to him in the second half could decide who takes the bragging rights.