ATHLETIC NEWS

Kevin Fishbain: Wow, what a throw-and-catch from Fields to... - The Athletic Wow, what a throw-and-catch from Fields to Mooney for the touchdown. Fields stood in the pocket despite the pressure, put a ball where only...

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Kevin Fishbain: Tua is 9-for-9 passing for 111 yards and a... - The Athletic Tua is 9-for-9 passing for 111 yards and a touchdown. 5 of his completions have gone for at least 15 yards. Dolphins 14, Bears 10

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Iker Muniain - Trains with team Muniain (oblique) returned to training with Athletic Club on Sunday ahead of the clash against Real Valladolid on Tuesday.

Impact Muniain has missed Bilbao's last two games with an abdominal injury he suffered in late October, but he has a chance to return Tuesday for his side's final match before the World Cup break as he was able to train with his teammates on Sunday. Raul Garcia and Oier Zarraga are options to continue in attacking midfield if Muniain isn't quite ready to start against Valladolid.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Girona beats Bilbao 2-1 to escape relegation zone in Spain

Girona has escaped the Spanish league’s relegation zone after beating Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at home

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Unai Simon - Concedes two in loss Simon conceded two goals and made eight saves during Friday's 2-1 loss to Girona.

Impact Once again, Simon prevented his team from suffering an even worse defeat as his defense couldn't handle a more disciplined home side. When at his best, Simon doesn't need to make many saves to secure wins and clean sheets. That hasn't been the case lately, as he's conceded six goals and made 14 saves over the last three matches, losing twice in that time.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Plays first half in loss Berchiche logged three tackles (one won) and conceded a yellow card during the first half of Friday's 2-1 loss to Girona.

Impact Berchiche looked like he wasn't up to speed, getting beaten on most counter attempts and balls that went past him. Unless he can turn things around, Berchiche might need some more rest to reset if he's to start consistently in 2023.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Scores off bench in loss Guruzeta scored one goal from two shots (both on target) during 21 minutes of Friday's 2-1 loss to Girona.

Impact Guruzeta scored a consolation effort with a well-taken strike on the volley for his first goal in over two months. Should he continue to play this well, Guruzeta can start challenging an inconsistent Raul Garcia for more opportunities to play.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Logs assist in loss De Marcos logged one assist in 35 minutes off the bench during Friday's 2-1 loss to Girona.

Impact De Marcos was only utilized from the bench despite getting the all-clear following a stomach bug dealt with during the week. As the full-backs didn't look so good without de Marcos on the pitch, he should be able to start without difficulty on most occasions.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Takes one shot in loss Williams put one shot on target and logged two crosses (one accurate) during Friday's 2-1 loss to Girona.

Impact Williams had a close call on his lone shot but otherwise wasn't handed a tremendous amount of opportunities in front of goal against an imperious Paulo Gazzaniga. With two goals in his last four matches, Williams should still be confident going into the rest of 2022 in what could be one of the best seasons of his career.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Makes squad list De Marcos (illness) made the squad list for Friday's match at Girona.

Impact De Marcos just has to start and then he'll complete his recovery from an issue that knocked him out after 29 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal. Though Inigo Lekue is a capable replacement, de Marcos has had a good season with two assists in 12 appearances and is deserving of continued preference when fit.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Bilbao visits Girona; Mama Baldé leads Troyes

Athletic Bilbao visits Girona seeking to end a three-game winless streak on the road in the Spanish league

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ander Herrera - Out Friday against Girona Herrera will miss Friday's match at Girona due to a muscular injury in his right leg, his club have announced.

Impact Herrera opened the season with poor fitness and will now miss out altogether after suffering an injury Oct. 23 against Barcelona. While he's out, Oihan Sancet and Mikel Vesga figure to start at the base of the midfield.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - On track for Friday De Marcos (illness) participated in Wednesday's training session and should be able to play in Friday's match against Girona, according to Javi Beltran of AS.

Impact De Marcos departed after 30 minutes of Sunday's win over Villarreal but it appears the issue wasn't exceptionally impactful. Pending his status, Inigo Lekue could start at right-back if de Marcos can't return in time.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Iker Muniain - Remains absent from training Muniain (oblique) continues to miss training and is unlikely to play in Friday's match at Girona, according to Javi Beltran of AS.

Impact Muniain hasn't been able to recover enough of his fitness after an injury ruled him out of Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal. In his absence, the in-form Raul Garcia could continue to start in support of Inaki Williams.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Report: Gonzaga Interested in Joining Big 12 Conference Athletic director Chris Standiford reportedly met league commissioner Brett Yormark last week to discuss a potential move.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • SACBEE.COM

Gonzaga in discussions to join Big 12: Source Gonzaga University is in early discussions to move from the West Coast Conference to the Big 12, an industry source confirmed to The Athleti...

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Inigo Lekue - Comes off bench in win Lekue created one chance from three crosses (one accurate) in 61 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Lekue had come off the bench in two straight games after Yuri Berchiche returned to the lineup but an injury for Oscar de Marcos allowed him to return for a longer appearance. Though Lekue faired well in a run of eight straight starts due to various absences at full-back, he still finds himself as a backup that depends on the health of others to play more.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Martinez - Picks up home shutout Martinez kept a clean sheet with two tackles made and recorded one interception during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Martinez hasn't looked in perfect form over recent weeks but between he and Yeray Alvarez, Sunday's efforts were a step in the right direction. Going into the World Cup, Martinez will look to improve his confidence further through continuing his strong play.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Jahns: This felt important from Ryan Poles: "I like... - The Athletic This felt important from Ryan Poles: "I like the way Justin is trending, and adding another big body who's physical, explosive, great leapin...

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Jon Morcillo - Comes off bench in win Morcillo logged eight minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Morcillo played for the first time in four matches, earning another limited appearance. A capable option on the wing or at full-back, he doesn't have a massive role in his future so long as Alex Berenguer is in good form.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Vencedor - Logs 21 minutes off bench Vencedor logged 21 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Vencedor has come off the bench in two straight games as it's starting to look like he's found his role under manager Ernesto Valverde. While that's unfortunately not as a starter, Vencedor's progress shouldn't be as stunted as it was looking when he rode the bench for much of September and October.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Gets busy in win Alvarez kept a clean sheet with four interceptions made during Sunday's 1-0 win over Athletic Club.

Impact Alvarez put together an exceptional performance to snuff most counter attacks from opposition before they got very far. He's now made nine interceptions in the last two games, a record that should help his value so long as his confidence continues to improve.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Keeps clean sheet at home Simon kept a clean sheet with three saves made during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Simon collected his first clean sheet in five matches, a positive development following last Sunday's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona. As the entire team looked more confident, a few more clean sheets could be in store for Simon, though pay attention to how well defenders Yeray Alvarez and Inigo Martinez are playing.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Comes off bench in win Guruzeta played for eight minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Guruzeta played for the first time in seven weeks and though he didn't offer much, it's still good that the team was confident enough to rely on backup attackers as well. As Raul Garcia is now in good form partnering with Inaki Williams, Guruzeta should remain an option from the bench.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Logs 10 crosses in win Berenguer created two chances from 10 crosses (two accurate) and put one shot on target during Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Berenguer improved his efforts after struggling to meet the mark in recent weeks. If he continues to play this well, goals should again be in his future so long as he and his teammates can preserve their confidence.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE