Inside Athletic

All players born or formed in the Basque Country. Most from Lezama. Several with contracts that don’t contain release clauses. Many have turned down offers from “bigger” clubs to stay home. This isn’t just a club, this is a family.

Paredes with some cramping but looks to be ok

Highlights from today’s friendly

3 friendlies so far and just 1 goal from open play. Seems concerning, but also not uncommon for Athletic, especially under Valverde. Team struggled to score goals last preseason too.

FINAL: PSV 2-1 Athletic

Rego comes in and immediately starts running the midfield. Calling out passing lanes, positioning himself well, head on a swivel. He’s a midfield general and awesome to see him so comfortable already.

Nico Serrano and Rego on for Iñaki and Prados

Egiluz and Canales on for Paredes and Berenguer

There he is

Jauregizar, Guruzeta, Robert Navarro, and Adama on for Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Williams, Sancet, and Yuri

Prados rips one of his own from outside but it sails wide

Shot from outside the box beats Simon and PSV lead 2-1

PSV score a second

Second half is underway with Jesus Areso on for Hugo Rincon

Halftime: PSV 1-1 Athletic

Beautiful header from Iñaki to put Athletic up 1-0

Goal Iñaki Williams!!!

Kickoff!!!

I’ve thought for a long time that Berenguer could be a really good false 9 as long as there was creativity around him. That’s certainly the case with Nico and Sancet.

Strong and also interesting lineup from Valverde today. Seems like Berenguer will be up top, which I’ve always been curious about trying. Let’s see how lineup actually shapes up.

Starting XI: Unai Simón, Rincón, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri, Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados, Iñaki, Sancet, Nico, Berenguer