ATHLETIC NEWS

Iker Muniain's Ex-Wife Andrea Sesma Confirms New Relationship With Another La Liga Star Sesma and Muniain broke up in 2021.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Spain's glory, Renard's stand, Earps vs Nike - the moments that defined the year in women's football From fighting federations to World Cup magic, The Athletic's women's football writers provide their best moments of 2023

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

The Athletic's Football Quiz of 2023: Spot the scorer, final facts, manager movements Remember much of the football from 2023? Take our fiendish quiz to test how much you really know...

DECEMBER 25, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

2026 World Cup host cities expect match schedule in January The release of the game schedule for the 2026 World Cup will likely not come until next year. Multiple sources within World Cup host city co...

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Yuri Berchiche - Makes three tackles Berchiche took an off target shot, crossed three times (one accurate), created a chance and made three tackles (winning two) during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Berchiche was a part of the Athletic back four that kept a clean sheet Wednesday, leading the team with three tackles. The left-back has started back-to-back matches after returning from a muscle strain, but doesn't have a goal involvement since October.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - One save in clean sheet Simon kept a clean sheet while making one save during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Simon helped Athletic Club claim all three points by shutting out Las Palmas on Wednesday. The clean sheet was the eighth in 18 league starts for the keeper while his lone save upped his season total to 57.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Leader in shots, chances created Williams took four shots (all on goal), crossed three times inaccurately and created three chances during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Williams was held off the scoresheet, but led Athletic in both shots and chances created in the match. Williams hasn't scored or assisted in back-to-back matches following a string of three straight games with a goal.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Sees penalty saved Guruzeta took three shots (two on goal) and created a chance during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Guruzeta saw a penalty attempt saved in the 40th minute and was substituted off the pitch in the 56th. The forward has been in good form with four goals in his last six La Liga matches while taking 15 shots, creating seven chances and crossing three times over the same timespan.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Extending stay with club Vesga agreed to terms on a contract extension with Athletic on Thursday that will keep him with the club through 2026/27.

Impact Vesga has come off the bench in his last two matches following his recovery from a hamstring problem, logging a combined 47 minutes in which he registered one cross (off target), two clearances and two interceptions. Prior to his two-match absence, the midfielder had started 10 of his 11 appearances for the club and should be in contention to reclaim his spot in the starting XI in the new year.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Iker Muniain - Available off bench Muniain (illness) is on the bench for Wednesday's clash with Las Palmas.

Impact Muniain trained throughout the week and now is back on the bench. The illness cost Muniain one match, though he actually went unused on the bench in three of four before the illness. Even though he is fit there's no guarantee Muniain sees any major minutes.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Not ready yet Alvarez (thigh) has been training with the team but will not be available for Wednesday's match against Las Palmas, said manager Ernesto Valverde. "Let's wait. In terms of preparat...

Impact Alvarez will end the year injured with a thigh injury. He will aim for a return for the new year, as long as there aren't any setbacks in his injury. He will end the first half of the campaign making two starts in five appearances, making just 11 clearances in that span.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Iker Muniain - Trains with team Muniain (illness) was back to training with the team and is expected to be an option for Wednesday match against Las Palmas, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Muniain did tra...

Impact Muniain has been just a bench option for the team this season, making just three starts in 11 appearances for the team. He's also just made one start in the last five games played, having also been an unused sub for the team.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Adds one to goal tally again Guruzeta scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Guruzeta has scored at least one goal every two games since Nov. 10. Since that date, the forward has played five games and scored four goals, which have accounted for half of his eight-goal tally across Athletic Club's 2023-24 season thus far.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Scores goal Williams scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Williams has been on a great late-year run, with three goals and two assists across his six appearances since November. The midfielder will look to conclude 2023 with a strong effort Wednesday against Las Palmas before beginning 2024 on an excellent high.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Goal streak broken Williams generated three shots (one on goal) and five crosses (one accurate) in Saturday's 2-0 win versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Williams was unable to prolong his goal streak to four games. It was not stopped without any effort though, as his five crosses and three shots indicate. Williams will look to begin a new streak during Athletic's next game, currently scheduled Wednesday against Las Palmas, which is also the team's last game of 2023.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Herrera - Records assist during start Herrera assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 victory versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Herrera logged his first assist of the 2023-24 La Liga. During the first half of December, Herrera was part of Athletic Club's starting XI for two of the three games the team played. Ideally for Herrera, the late boost in his role will pave way for a continued great output in Athletic games moving forward.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Logs another assist Lekue assisted once to go with two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-0 win against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Lekue logged two assists across his three appearances during the first half of December. The defender recorded both assists in back-to-back games at home, a positive trend he will look to continue Wednesday against Las Palmas.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Four-save clean sheet vs. Atletico Simon registered four saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Simon excelled during the first half of December, with nine saves and only one goal conceded across three appearances. During the Athletic Club's home games across said first half, he logged seven saves and maintained clean sheets in both matchups.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Iker Muniain - Dealing with illness Muniain is not on the team sheet for Saturday's match against Atletico Madrid with an illness.

Impact Muniain has been lacking time on the pitch after only getting three starts in 11 appearances for the team. He's also started just twice in the last 10 games, recording 18 crosses (four accurate) and five chances created in that span.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Sprains ankle De Marcos (ankle) will not be available for Saturday's match versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact De Marcos is set for at least a week or two on the sidelines after spraining his ankle. He had started the last 12 matches in a row, recording a goal and three assist in that span. This means that Inigo Lekue is the favorite to get the start at right back against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Healthy for Saturday's clash Vesga (hamstring) is on the team sheet and will be in line for a starting role for Saturday's match against Atletico Madrid, per manager Ernesto Valverde. "Mikel's case is on the l...

Impact Vesga could see a return to the lineup after missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury. He's recorded two goals and one assist in 11 appearances thus far, 10 of them coming as starts. If the midfielder is not fit to start, then Benant Prados Diaz could see the start again in the defensive midfield.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Malcom Adu - Back on team sheet Adu (knee) is on the team sheet for Saturday's match versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Adu has only been able to make two appearances for the team and 10 since last season. The 22-year-old is expected to remain as a depth option after going most of the campaign as an unused sub.

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Suffers muscle injury Galarreta may be heading for some time on the sideline after picking up a muscle injury, the club announced Thursday.

Impact Galarreta is the newest Athletic player to pick up an injury, having suffered a knock to a muscle in his calf. This is an unfortunate loss for the club, as the midfielder has been a regular starter this season, starting in all but three of their matches this season. The cub is still awaiting further testing on the injury but will hope it is only minor. Expect Ander Herrera to get the start if Galarreta misses any time with the knock.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Malcom Adu - Extends contract Adu will remain with Athletic for a couple more seasons, having signed a contract extension on Thursday.

Impact Adu is now a member of Athletic until 2027, having signed a three-year contract extension on Thursday. The forward has made 13 appearances for the club since debuting last season, having yet to bag a single-goal contribution. He looks to be a piece of their future after resigning with the club and should start to get more appearances in the coming seasons after only appearing twice in this campaign so far.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Sends in 10 crosses in draw Nico Williams registered three shots (zero on goal), 10 crosses (three accurate) and five corners in Monday's 1-1 draw against Granada. In addition, he was given a yellow card in t...

Impact Williams had another productive outing as he led the team with 10 crosses delivered, his second-highest mark of the season. Additionally, the midfielder took three shots; however, he was unable to find the target.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE