Athletic Bilbao is the defending champion of La Liga, and they have been leading the league with 14 interceptions per match this season. The club has been playing some of the best football in Spain, and their defensive prowess has been one of the key reasons for their success.

One of the main reasons for Athletic Bilbao's success on defense is their strong tackling skills. They have a high tackle rate, which means that they are able to win many of the tackles that come their way. This helps them to maintain possession of the ball and control the game.

Another reason for Athletic Bilbao's success on defense is their ability to clear the ball out of their own half quickly. They have a low clearance rate, meaning that they are able to clear the ball out of danger quickly without giving it away too easily. This helps them to create space in midfield and attack down the flanks.

In addition to these defensive strengths, Athletic Bilbao also have some talented players who can defend well both individually and as a team. Their central defenders, such as Iker Muniain and Samuel Umtiti, are known for their ability to read the game and make important tackles. Their full-backs, such as Keko and Aitor Osorio, are also good at pressing the opposition and preventing them from creating chances.

Overall, Athletic Bilbao's success on defense is due to a combination of strong tackling, quick clearing, and talented players who can defend well both individually and as a team. They will need to continue to play like this if they want to retain their title and defend it successfully this season.