Normalcy prevailed in Lezama two days after the first league game this season away to San Mamés. Athletic, who started the campaign with a home defeat against Real Madrid and left a poor impression, especially in the first half, visit Osasuna this Saturday. The Valverdes already know how the rojillos cost them, as last year they were denied a place in the Cup final and finished the regularity tournament in a European position.
It looks like the coach from Gasteiz will not be taking troops for this trip to El Sadar. Paredes, who on Tuesday worked outside the group, returned yesterday with all his colleagues to the morning work session held in Lezama. The Bilbao center-back, therefore, aims to repeat the axis of the rear at the Rojillo stadium.
Yuri appears to be making progress from the broken fibula he suffered at the Bernabéu in last season’s final league clash after an off-ball tackle on Carvajal resulted in a yellow card. The left-back stayed yesterday longer than usual on the grass level with the rest of his teammates. Thinking about his return to the competition against Osasuna, in any case, seems a bit complicated.
The same is happening with Dani García. The rojiblanco midfielder participated yesterday in the first part of the closed-door training session held in Lezama. Later, after taking part in classic rondos, he left the field where his teammates were training to work on the sidelines under the supervision of Xabi Clemente. Another who was not released for the match against those from Arrasate.
Who has not yet joined the group is Yeray. The rojiblanco central defender, who underwent surgery before the end of last season due to some pubic problem, arrived in time to start the preseason with his teammates, but at the end of July he was injured due to a cause, according to medical. report Issued by the club itself, due to overload on the right adductor. Valverde, in such a situation, will have to face the visit of Real Madrid with the tandem formed by Vivian and Paredes in the axis of the rear. A tandem that, barring a last-minute surprise or unforeseen event, will repeat itself against Osasuna.
the unknown
Based on what happened on Saturday in the match against Real Madrid and the changes made by the rojiblanco coach in the second half, everything indicates that Athletic will form at El Sadar with some changes compared to the team that started against Madrid. From the start it remains to be seen whether the option for left-back is still Lekue or, on the contrary, the lion Imanol. From the midfield forward, with the double pivot, there is also a high probability that there will be variations. The position that Iñaki Williams will occupy either as a winger or as a striker depends on this.
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.
