Inside Athletic

Injuries have been the one factor holding back Bilbao Athletic this season. If not for key absences it’s very likely that the Kumeak would have a somewhat comfortable lead at the top of the table, instead they currently sit three points behind leaders Logroñés. Joseba Etxeberria has had to manage without a striker for the large majority of the season, as well as captain Dani Vivian, though the team has still found ways to play at a high level.

The lack of a true striker has hurt the team over the past few weeks with Bilbao Athletic recording just one win in their last four matches. It looked as though there would finally be some relief when Ewan Urain recently returned to training but, unfortunately, that won’t be the case.

On Tuesday Athletic announced that Urain will be undergoing surgery within the next three weeks to repair a left knee injury that he suffered during training the day before. The medical report revealed that the 19-year-old has a partially torn meniscus, a torn LCL, and a hyperextended ACL. A timeframe for a return is difficult to gauge at this point and will depend heavily on how the striker recovers.

Additionally, Julen Bernaola will also be undergoing surgery. The defender sustained a fracture to the Zygomatic bone in his right cheek during Monday’s training session. Bernaola’s return will also depend on how he manages the recovery process as well as the potentially safety risks of playing after the procedure.

With Urain now sidelined for the foreseeable future, and Andoni Tascón still injured as well, Gorka Guruzeta will get more chances with Bilbao Athletic moving forward. Though the 23-year-old has been expected to leave on loan to the Segunda in the upcoming transfer window, the club could reconsider the decision as staying with Bilbao Athletic would help the team greatly and give the striker guaranteed minutes as he continues to work his way back from last season’s ACL injury.