Athletic Team News Page 7 - Soccer

Alex Berenguer - Six crosses, five corners in start Berenguer logged six crosses (one accurate) and five corners during Athletic's 2-1 loss Saturday at Barcelona. He also received a yellow card in the 56th minute.

Impact During the Barcelona game, Berenguer was Athletic's only player to attempt more than five crosses. He also logged all but one of the team's corners, with Nico Williams recording its lone other. Ideally for Berenguer, his 72-minute start is an indication of what will come his way. The attacking midfielder barely logged 15 starts during Athletic's 2023-24 season, during which he recorded seven goals and three assists.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Padilla - Clearances result in goals conceded Padilla logged three saves and two clearances but conceded two goals during Athletic's 2-1 loss Saturday at Barcelona.

Impact Padilla's three saves were mostly overshadowed by his clearances that somehow resulted in goals from Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. Now that Julen Agirrezabala will have another half a week to acclimate after his back injury, perhaps Padilla may not be Athletic's goalkeeper when the team hosts Valencia on Wednesday.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Start followed up with quantity Williams attempted three shots (zero on goal) and five crosses (zero accurate) during Athletic's 2-1 loss Saturday at Barcelona.

Impact After beginning his 2024-25 season as a reserve on Aug. 15, Williams was part of Athletic's starting XI used against Barcelona, the team he was heavily linked to this summer. Despite him attempting three shots and five corners, none of them were accurate, an unwelcome output the 22-year-old will try to improve upon before September.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Out Saturday Paredes (strain) is out for Saturday's trip to Barcelona due to a strain.

Impact Paredes isn't an option for the second match after coming off with an injury against Getafe. The defender is a noticeable loss in the starting XI for what should be a tough clash against Barcelona. Yeray Alvarez should step into the starting XI in place of Paredes.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Included in squad De Marcos (groin) is in the squad for Saturday's trip to Barcelona.

Impact De Marcos was included in the preliminary squad after returning to training earlier in the week. The defender should be a starter straight away now that he is fit and available once more. De Marcos was replaced by Inigo Lekue for the opener.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Julen Agirrezabala - In squad Saturday Agirrezabala (back) is in the squad for Saturday's trip to Barcelona.

Impact Agirrezabala is back in the squad after missing the opener with a back injury. The goalkeeper should be the preferred option in net due to Unai Simon's wrist injury. Alex Padilla got the start in the opener with Agirrezabala sidelined.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Prospect of player pay another wrinkle for HBCU schools, where big NIL deals still taking root

Athletic programs at historically Black colleges and universities are facing another wrinkle

AUGUST 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oscar De Marcos - Returns to training Monday De Marcos (groin) returned to training in Monday's session and could be an option for Saturday's match at Barcelona, Alfonso Herran of Diario AS reports.

Impact De Marcos didn't play in the season opener against Getafe, but his return to training Monday suggests he could be an option for the match against Los Blaugranas. His return would be a major boost to a defensive line that's expected to be quite depleted. De Marcos started in 26 of his 28 league appearances in 2023/24.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Comes off bench in opener Nico Williams generated two shots (two on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Williams made his season debut, coming off the bench in the 72nd minute. The winger just recently re-joined the team after missing their preseason recovering from the Euros. He was heavily linked to Barcelona during the summer, but it appears he'll stay put in Bilbao.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Provides assist in draw Guruzeta assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and two chances created in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Guruzeta helped open up the scoring as he delivered a pass to Oihan Sancet, who then scored from long-range in the 27th minute. The goal scoring striker failed to create any damage by himself as he didn't take a shot on goal, due to Athletic struggling to create chances.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Scores in draw Oihan Sancet scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Sancet scored the first La Liga goal of the season in the 27th minute with a beautiful long-range shot. His goal marked his only contribution to the contest as he didn't create a chance and didn't take a shot after that.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Padilla - Concedes once in debut Alex Padilla had one save and allowed one goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe.

Impact Padilla made his first appearance in La Liga with the top two Athletic goalkeepers sidelined with injuries. The 20-year-old goalkeeper faced little pressure, but he did make an impressive save in the 51st minute to maintain the lead. However, he did concede a header off a corner late in the second half which allowed Getafe to equalize. He'll remain in goal until Julen Agirrezabala is fit to make his return.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Injured in opener Paredes had eight clearances in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe. He was also subbed off during the 81st minute due to a muscle injury.

Impact Paredes had a solid match Thursday, however his day was ruined after picking up a muscle injury during the draw to Getafe. He will now be set for scans as his status of return is expected to be revealed within the next few days.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Athletic Club 1 vs 1 Getafe CF | Game Highlights ⚽

AUGUST 15 • YOUTUBE

ATHLETIC CLUB 1 - 1 GETAFE CF | RESUMEN LALIGA EA SPORTS

AUGUST 15 • YOUTUBE

🔴 ATHLETIC CLUB vs GETAFE CF - PREVIA DEL PARTIDO

AUGUST 15 • YOUTUBE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Left out against Getafe Galarreta (strain) is out for Thursday's match against Getafe.

Impact Galarreta was close to a return but was not fit enough to compete Thursday, with a failed fitness test likely leading to his absence after being questionable. He is expected to be a regular starter for the club, so this is a somewhat concerning loss. However, he was close to a return which is positive news, possibly getting back on the field in their next contest.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Serrano - Out Thursday Serrano (shoulder) is out for Thursday's match against Getafe.

Impact Serrano had trained with the group this week and was going to be a close call for Thursday's match, with the team ultimately deciding to preserve the player for another week of recovery. He isn't expected to hold much more than a rotational role, so this isn't a major absence for the club. He will likely return soon, having not been ruled out for a return in their next match.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Julen Agirrezabala - Out for season opener Agirrezabala (back) is not an option for Thursday's match against Getafe, according to Iker Torrescusa of Marca.

Impact Agirrezabala missed out on training Monday, implying the goalie will not be an option to begin the season after suffering back issues. This is a problem for the club, as they are now down their first and second-string goalies with Unai Simon (wrist) also out. That said, expect Alex Padilla to start in net until either Simon or Agirrezabala is fit once again.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Serrano - Trains with group Serrano (shoulder) trained with the group this past week, according to Juanma Velasco of Marca.

Impact Serrano continues to advance in his recovery process, as the attacker is now training with the group after working with a ball around three weeks ago. This still leaves him questionable for the club's season opener against Getafe on Thursday. However, he was likely to only hold a rotational role, so if he is absent, it won't be the biggest loss.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Plays 30 Saturday Vesga (thigh) appeared for 30 minutes off the bench in Saturday's friendly against Stuttgart.

Impact Vesga has cleared himself of an injury after dealing with thigh issues, as he returned to play in a friendly match. This is great news, as he should be considered fit to begin the season. That said, expect him to get the start in the midfield to start the campaign.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Dealing with groin issues De Marcos is suffering from pubalgia and is training to the side, according to his club.

Impact De Marcos has hit the injury report, suffering from a condition that is a chronic lesion in his groin which has prevented him from training normally recently. Instead, he has been training to the side, only working individually. With their season opener against Getafe on Thursday, he likely won't be an option. That said, he is a regular starter, so expected Inigo Lekue to get the start in his place if de Marcos is unavailable.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Trains individually Galarreta (strain) trained by himself Tuesday, according to his club.

Impact Galarreta went down with an injury just over a week ago while in training, having picked up an issue in his muscles. However, he is now training again, with the player getting in work individually to the side. This is positive news but still leaves the player in limbo, as it is now known if he will be fit for their season opener against Getafe on Thursday, with most leaning towards the midfielder being left out.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Grant Holloway captures golden redemption with hurdles win The win reclaims an event dominated by Americans through the 20th century, when the U.S. claimed 17 of a possible 22 golds.

AUGUST 8 • NYTIMES.COM

Julen Agirrezabala - Trains Tuesday Agirrezabala (back) returned to training Tuesday, according to the club.

Impact Agirrezabala picked up a back issue during the pre-season, having gone down with a fracture in mid-July. However, he is now back in training, as he was shown working with a ball Tuesday. This is great news for the club, but with the season only one week away, he is still likely to miss their opening match.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

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Prospect of player pay another wrinkle for HBCU schools, where big NIL deals still taking root