The winter holidays seem to have been good for the Athletic squad. The rojiblancos returned to the competition after a break caused by the World Cup in Qatar, counting all their friendly engagements as victories and conceding no goals. Tomorrow’s cup tie against Sestao River and the league visit to Villamarín before the end of the year will allow us to draw more conclusions.
The numbers, so far, speak for themselves. The rojiblanco team played a total of four games in this competition. The lions first beat Valladolid (2-0), then Chivas in San Mamés (2-0), later Burgos in El Plantío (0-3) and finally Udinese in Italy (0-1). The baggage produced was eight goals for and no match. The average result, this way, would be 2-0.
Gorka Guruzeta has signed three of Athletic’s eight goals in this winter’s preparation phase. The striker from San Sebastian opened his account against Valladolid (1-0 minute 27) and closed it in Burgos with a brace (0-1 minute 3 and 0-2 minute 50). Against Chivas in San Mamés he only played the last quarter of an hour and in Udine he spent the entire game on the bench.
Sancet is in second position in the scorer level in this preparation phase. Navarrese scored against Valladolid (2-0 minute 51) and repeated against Chivas (also 2-0 and also in minute 51). The remaining three goals were scored by Berenguer (1-0 against Chivas, minute 29), Raúl García (0-3 against Burgos, minute 58) and Iñaki Williams (0-1 against Udinese, minute 86).
On the goal level, it should be noted that Valverde has used his three goalkeepers this preseason. Agirrezabala, with the cup cross against Sestao imminent, is the rojiblanco goalkeeper who has accumulated the most minutes (274 out of 360 possible). Iru participated in the Miranda and San Mamés matches (41 minutes) and World Cup player Unai Simón played in the second half of the final friendly against Udinese.
the eight untouchables
Valverde used a 28-player contest during this winter preseason. The usual parts of the first team are joined in the final appointments by the puppies Jon Cabo (Burgos and Udine) and Geranabarrena (Udine) along with World Cup players Unai Simón and the Williams brothers (Udine). Ander Herrera, who started as a starter in Miranda against Valladolid, took part in only one match, because he was injured. Balenziaga repeated in two (Valladolid and Chivas), but also had to stop to enter the infirmary.
In addition to Agirrezabala, seven other lions took part in each of these four friendships. The black pudding, which Valverde used preferably near the right wing, was after the Gipuzkoan goalkeeper the one who accumulated the most minutes in the game with a total of 236. The winger from Amorebieta started the last three.
Captain Muniain, with 197 minutes, is the lion with the third longest time on the pitch in these four games. Villalibre followed with 193. Gernika’s striker, despite repeated attempts, could not find the path to goal. Dani García, who has accumulated 192 minutes, made it clear that he has recovered from the muscle injury that prevented him from participating in games before the league break. Good news, no doubt, for Valverde.
Raúl García was also in four appointments, adding a total of 182 minutes. The veteran player from Navarre is both a midfielder and a striker. To his credit, a goal and an assist, among others, to Iñaki Williams in Udine. The consistent Yeray (168) and the versatile Zarraga (167) close out this list.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
