Athletic began to intensify its preparations for this Thursday’s match against Betis in Villamarín with an open-door training session held yesterday evening in Lezama. Valverde and his students felt the love of their fans up close. The rojiblancos players thanked this support by applauding those present at the end of the preparation session.
Good news for Valverde as he returns to action after a rest day that coincided with Christmas Day. Ander Herrera and Gorka Guruzeta, reasonable doubts last week for this rematch in the league competition, are part of the group. Both, having seen what has been seen, will arrive in a position to be called upon for the clash against Pellegrini’s men. The midfielder from Bilbao had to pull out as soon as the friendlies started during the break caused by the World Cup due to muscle discomfort. The discomfort seemed to subside.
The striker from San Sebastián, for his part, had to be substituted a week ago in the first half of the cup match against Sestao River in Las Llanas. Guruzeta received a hard tackle on his ankle and, after threatening to continue at grass level, he was forced to ask for a change. The foot, seeing what was seen, responded well to the player’s treatment carried out by the club’s medical staff.
We will have to wait, in any case, to see what Valverde’s intentions are in front of the confrontation with Betis. Iñaki Williams, who yesterday wore a miraculous bandage on his right knee, started on the bench against the verdinegros in the match that was the equivalent of last week’s KO tournament. Raúl García then played at center forward with Nico Williams open on the right flank and Guruzeta on the left with Sancet in midfield.
The forced substitution of the man from San Sebastián meant that Athletic continued to play Sestao with Williams open on the wing (Iñaki on the right and Nico on the left). It should also be noted that Berenguer, the usual starting winger with Valverde, spent the entire match against Las Llanas on the bench, because he came from a minor injury. Navarres are also in a position to re-align as witnessed yesterday afternoon in Lezama. Balenziaga, who was absent from last week’s cup match, also worked normally in the last session of this preparation.
double in the morning
Athletic will train from now on behind closed doors in Lezama. The lions will be exercising today and tomorrow from 11 am. On Friday, after they play a league match against Betis, they will have a new session, they will rest on Saturday and on Sunday, the first day of the new year, they will return to activity from 12 noon.
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.
