10 Biggest Rivalries In Spanish Football
6. Basque Derby – Bilbao vs Sociedad
Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad have both struggled to win the silverware after their golden run in the early 80s. Both the teams adopted a policy of signing players only from Basque. Sociedad dropped the policy in 1989, however, Athletic Bilbao follows it to this day. Their fans take superior pride over their rivals for not being a “sell-out”. Another thing that the fans take pride in, is the fact that they are one of the only three clubs to have never been relegated from the top-flight of Spanish football.
Real Sociedad had the last laugh when it came to the silverware as they defeated Athletic Bilbao in the finals of Copa Del Rey in the 2019-20 season.
5. The Asturian Derby- Real Oviedo vs Sporting Gijon
The Asturian Derby is another one of the biggest rivalries in Spanish football. The only unfortunate thing here is that both the teams are now not in the top-flight of the Spanish league. Asturias is a small region of Northern Spain and the two are only 30 km apart. The small distance between the two makes it a more fierce battle than most derbies in football.
The fans take pride in their respective teams and the passion usually takes over during the derby day as the two sides tend to get violent.
4. Derbi de la Comunitat – Valencia vs Villarreal
Valencia have been a top side in La Liga, especially since the last couple of decades, after the big 3; Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid. Their city rivals, Levante, have been regulars in the first division of Spanish football, however, it is Villarreal who are the biggest rivals of the club.
Villarreal have had some significant help with the financing because of which they are emerging as the more dominant side. They have also made frequent appearances in European football and have won the Europa League as well.