Athletic Finish Week Of Training With Scrimmage At Lezama

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Raúl García and Unai Vencedor challenge for a ball during a scrimmage (AC)

The start of the La Liga season is just around the corner and there’s no time to waste. For now, the new campaign is scheduled to kick off on 12 September and in just a few days Athletic will begin playing preseason friendlies, starting with a trip to Logroñés on 29 August. With the players being given Sunday off, Saturday’s training session was used as a scrimmage to get the squad back into rhythm before taking the field.

Yuri Berchiche, Peru Nolaskoain, Iñigo Martínez, and Ibai Gómez were all unable to take part in the scrimmage due to injuries, as well as the six players that tested positive in the initial PCR screening last week. As a result, Bilbao Athletic’s Jon Sillero, Aitor Paredes, and Julen Bernaola were called up to take part in the scrimmage at Lezama.

Gaizka Garitano separated the squad into two teams for the game with some being forced to play out of position. The first team consisted of Unai Simón, Ander Capa, Yeray, Jesús Areso, Iñigo Lekue, Unai Vencedor, Oier Zarraga, Iñigo Vicente, Nico Serrano, Kenan Kodro, and Asier Villalibre. The second team was Jokin Ezkieta, Óscar De Marcos, Jon Sillero, Aitor Paredes, Mikel Balenziaga, Dani García, Julen Bernaola, Iker Muniain, Jon Morcillo, Ewan Urain, and Raúl García.

Having a team scrimmage at Lezama was the first step towards getting the team ready to compete in four competitions next season. The Lions will play in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, the rescheduled Copa del Rey final, and the next edition of the Cup as well. Over the next few weeks Athletic will play friendly matches before kicking off the new season with hopes of lifting a title and qualifying for Europe.

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