BizkaiaGipuzkoaArabaVitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantábrica AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdeaBizkaiaGipuzkoaArabaVitoria-GasteizLlanada AlavesaRioja AlavesaMontaña AlavesaValles AlavesesCantábrica AlavesaEstribaciones del GorbeaDonostialdeaBidasoaTolosaldeaGoierriUrola KostaDebagoienaDebabarrenaGran BilbaoDurangaldeaLea-ArtibaiBusturialdeaUribe KostaEnkarterriArratia-NerviónMungialdea
EU|ES|EN
Diario Euskadi logoDiario Euskadi

Athletic to Play First Pre-Season Friendlies in Bizkaia

Coach Edin Terzic is preparing for the start of training at Lezama, while the team confirms three summer matches in Portugalete, Leioa, and Sestao.

Close-up image of a football pitch with artificial turf and goal net.
IA

Close-up image of a football pitch with artificial turf and goal net.

Athletic will play its first four pre-season friendlies in Bizkaia, visiting Portugalete, Leioa, and Sestao starting July 15th.

Edin Terzic is gradually shaping Athletic's pre-season. While awaiting confirmation of the start date for training at Lezama, the Bilbao-based club has finalized its initial summer friendlies. The Lions will not need to travel far, as they will embark on a series of summer exhibition matches across Bizkaia.
As announced by Ibaigane this Thursday, the first match will take place on Wednesday, July 15th, in Portugalete at La Florida field, against Derio (Tercera RFEF). Following this, Athletic will face Leioa in Sarriena on Saturday the 18th to celebrate the town's 500th anniversary. Finally, on Wednesday the 22nd, the Lions will visit Sestao River, currently competing in the fourth tier of Spanish football, at Las Llanas. All matches are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM.
The Bilbao club has emphasized that this series of friendlies "represents a great opportunity for fans to see the Lions in three different locations." These matches will allow the German coach to assess his new players, regardless of the opponents' level, as they too will have had limited training time and likely incomplete squads by then.
For the initial pre-season games, Terzic will be without the four Athletic players participating in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as they are either still in competition or will be on vacation.
Bizkaia Friendly Schedule:
-Wednesday, July 15th: Derio vs. Athletic (La Florida, 7:30 PM)
-Saturday, July 18th: Leioa vs. Athletic (Sarriena, 7:30 PM)
-Wednesday, July 22nd: Sestao River vs. Athletic (Las Llanas, 7:30 PM)
Beyond this tour of Bizkaia, it is expected, as in previous years, that the Bilbao entity will arrange preparation matches against high-caliber clubs, with Lezama serving as the operational base throughout the summer before LaLiga commences in mid-August.
In his debut as Athletic's head coach, Terzic might face Iker Muniain, a distinguished former Lion, on the opposing bench. The Navarrese coach, who has excelled this season in his debut managing Derio, has not yet confirmed his continued role at Ibaigane. Notably, Athletic will play Derio at La Florida because Derio's home ground has artificial turf, leading Ibaigane to opt for the grass pitch in Portugalete.

Related News