3-0. Athletic suspended its first important preseason test

Athletic suffered their second defeat of the preseason against a better and more competitive opponent who will play the Super Cup against Porto next Saturday and start the League on August 9, six days before the red and white team. The lion duel remained in Lisbon and with it the Cinco Violins Trophy. The team from the capital, champion of the Portuguese League last season, has been better and knows how to take advantage of ball losses in the red and white midfield to kill the counterattack. At the moment, one team is in Formula 1 and another in a utility vehicle. Those led by Rubén Amorim have shown themselves to be a very dangerous team in transfers. Txingurri’s team did not pass the first serious test of the preseason after facing two Segundas like Burgos and Racing.

As was the case in the first two friendlies, Valverde lined up a very strong starting eleven in the first half, with Padilla as goalkeeper. From what we have seen, the Zarautz player has the advantage of starting the first league match against Getafe. Txingurri again tried Lekue as a central defender, with Prados and the puppy Jauregizar in the engine room and a strong front attack formed by Iñaki Williams, Sancet, Berenguer and Guruzeta. As on Wednesday in Barakaldo, Álvaro Djaló started the match on the bench.

Athletic started the match better, trying to take the initiative in the game in the rival field, but Sporting de Portugal led the scoreboard. Allowing Jauregizar to steal the ball in midfield, the hosts quickly set up the counter and Gonçalves didn’t miss the chance to beat Padilla on his team’s first approach. From that moment, the first half belonged to the Portuguese, playing very fast and creating danger especially on the left wing with Quenda, a footballer with a bright future based on what he showed José Alvalade in Lisbon.

Two minutes after the Portuguese’s goal, Padilla first had to block a shot from the right winger and moments later from Gyökeres, the Swedish striker who scored 43 goals last season in all competitions.

The lions stretched in search of a tie. Guruzeta narrowly widened and after half an hour they had a goal disallowed for clear offside. Goalkeeper Kovacevic also had to intervene after a volley from Iñaki Williams, but Rubén Amorim’s side managed to increase the lead on the scoreboard with two clear chances from Quenda. The first with a shot that crashed into the crossbar and the second with another low shot that Yeray got to the same goal line that Padilla beat.

The second period began without changes on the part of Athletic, a difference compared to the first two friendlies, when Valverde completely renewed the eleven after passing through the locker room. The coach wants his players to get physically toned. The first three chances were visitors, a shot from the mark of Iñaki Williams at the far post, a shot by Berenguer into the hands of the local goalkeeper after a good pass from Jauregizar and a shot from the ground by Guruzeta that went wide. The next came from Gyökeres with a shot that forced Padilla to deflect. Gorosabel had to head the ball from under the sticks and by the time Ribeiro sent it high it was all in his favour.

The red and white coach changed his team in the 63rd minute, bringing on Hugo Ricón, Ander Herrera and Djaló for Gorosabel, Jauregizar and Guruzeta. Ten minutes later Adama, Canales, Unai Gómez and Martón came on and the carousel of changes ended with Egiluz, Duñabeitia and Olabarrieta.

Sporting increased the difference on the scoreboard with another stolen ball down the middle which Edwards just finished at will and almost immediately Trincao finished off the afternoon’s third. There were too many penalties for Padilla, who had nothing to do with the goals and successfully intervened on numerous occasions. From what we’ve seen, Athletic still needs a lot of filming. On Thursday, August 1, comes the fourth friendly against Eibar.