FROM EUROPEAN NIGHT TO THE LEAGUE FIGHT: ATHLETIC’S JOURNEY SO FAR
By Alex Mineto
When the Champions League returned to San Mamés, expectations were high. Athletic Club aimed not just to compete, but to assert themselves again on European nights. But their campaign began with a sobering lesson.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: A ROUGH START
On 16 September 2025, Athletic welcomed Arsenal in their first group stage fixture. The Basques, energetic in their pressing and compact in structure, sought to unsettle the English side. But Arsenal’s depth and sharpness proved decisive. Gabriel Martinelli, introduced as a substitute, struck within 36 seconds to break the deadlock. Later, Leandro Trossard doubled the lead, making it 0–2 at San Mamés.
The margin of defeat might have flattered Arsenal — Athletic had periods of control and chances — but the difference was the efficiency and composure of the visitors’ bench.
It was a night that reminded Athletic supporters of Europe’s margins: a small lapse, a moment’s hesitation, and opportunities vanished.
Just a fortnight later, Athletic faced their second group match away at Borussia Dortmund. It was a harsher test. The German side overpowered the Basques, handing them a 4–1 defeat at Signal Iduna Park.
That result magnified the challenge ahead in Europe: Athletic’s dreams would demand consistency, defensive resilience, and attacking ruthlessness — especially when their schedule is squeezed by domestic commitments.
BACK TO LA LIGA: A MIXED RUN, BUT FIGHTING SPIRIT SURVIVES
Athletic 0–1 Deportivo Alavés
The first crack appeared in a tense Basque derby at San Mamés. Alavés arrived with a clear plan: sit deep, frustrate, and counter through pace. Athletic dominated possession yet found little space between Alavés’ compact lines.
Valverde’s men created chances through Iñaki Williams on the left, but the finishing touch was missing. The killer blow came late: a long ball over the top, a moment of hesitation from Unai Simón, and Luis Rioja poked home what proved the winner.
The defeat didn’t just end Athletic’s perfect start — it exposed a recurring issue: the struggle to break down low blocks when chasing the game.
Athletic Club 1-1 Girona
Athletic Club were held to a 1–1 draw by Girona at San Mamés in a rain-soaked encounter that swung dramatically after the break. Girona struck first through Ounahi, whose curling effort punished a sluggish first half from the hosts. Ernesto Valverde reacted decisively, making four changes at half-time, and the impact was instant. Substitute Jauregizar, full of energy and intent, pounced on a loose ball three minutes after the restart and unleashed a fierce shot to level the score. From then on, Athletic dominated, driven by the roar of the Cathedral. Aitor Paredes hit the post, Berenguer and Robert Navarro both went close, but Girona’s goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga produced several key saves to frustrate Athletic once again. Despite the missed chances, Athletic’s second-half revival offered encouragement: intensity, width, and the refusal to accept defeat. It was a draw that felt bittersweet — dropped points, perhaps, but renewed conviction.
Valencia 2–0 Athletic Club
If the Alavés loss was frustrating, the trip to Mestalla was alarming. Athletic were second best from the first whistle. Valencia pressed high, forcing mistakes in Athletic’s buildup.
A goal from Hugo Duro and a curling strike by Santamaría sealed a comfortable home win.
Athletic looked leggy after their European exertions, and Valverde’s rotation backfired. It was a reminder of the brutal reality of balancing domestic and continental football.
Villarreal CF 1-0 Athletic Club
Athletic Club fell 1–0 to Villarreal at La Cerámica in a match that could easily have gone the other way. Ernesto Valverde’s side started well, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough despite several promising chances. Oihan Sancet saw a close-range shot blocked, while young forward Alejandro Rego struck the post late on. Villarreal gradually grew into the game and found the decisive goal in the 76th minute, when Moleiro capitalised on a loose ball inside the box to beat Unai Simón. Athletic pushed hard in the closing stages but lacked precision in front of goal. To compound their frustration, Mikel Vesga limped off injured, adding to Valverde’s growing concerns.
Athletic Club 2-1 RCD Mallorca
Athletic Club returned to winning ways at San Mamés with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Mallorca, in a match that blended control, character and a touch of drama. Iñaki Williams opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside ten minutes, setting the tone for a dominant first half in which the Basques pressed high and dictated rhythm. Mallorca, however, struck back midway through the second period through Samu Costa’s precise long-range effort, momentarily silencing the Cathedral. The tension grew when Iñaki was forced off injured, but the home side refused to lose belief. Substitute Nico Williams injected pace, while Jesús Areso – one of the summer’s key signings – created the decisive moment. His clever run and low cross found youngster Alejandro Rego, who fired home his first goal for Athletic to seal the win. San Mamés erupted, celebrating not just three points, but the resilience of Valverde’s rejuvenated side.
ATHLETIC’S FIGHT TO STAY AMONG SPAIN’S ELITE
Athletic Club’s position in La Liga remains encouraging — sitting just outside the top four after a demanding start that has included Champions League fixtures. Ernesto Valverde’s men have shown resilience despite inconsistency, and staying within touching distance of Spain’s elite is absolutely vital.
The top four represents more than prestige: it’s the gateway to another season in the Champions League, the financial boost that sustains the club’s Basque-only model, and the proof that their footballing philosophy can compete with modern superclubs. The challenge now is balance. European nights test the squad’s depth, and injuries to key figures like Nico Williams or Iñaki Williams expose how thin the margins are. But the identity remains clear — intensity, youth, and unity.
If Athletic can keep pace with Atlético, Betis, and Villarreal through winter, they’ll not only protect their domestic position but ensure that the dream of back-to-back Champions League qualifications stays alive in Bilbao.
25/26 Transfer Review: Athletic Club
The 2025/26 LaLiga season has just begun, and Athletic Club find themselves at a crucial crossroads. The Basque side, known for its unique philosophy of fielding only players native to or trained in the Basque Country, has once again maneuvered cautiously in the transfer market while aiming to remain competitive in Spain's top flight.
Two seasons ago, they ended a 40-year drought by winning the 120th edition of the Copa del Rey against RCD Mallorca—a triumph that reignited belief among fans and restored a sense of pride to San Mamés. Last season, they secured a Champions League qualification after finishing in the 4th position in LaLiga. And this year, after a couple of ambitious signings, they are ready to challenge for silverware again and consolidate their status among Spain's elite.
TWO BIG SIGNINGS AND EVEN A BIGGER SURPRISE.
ATHLETIC CLUB has managed to find a substitute for Oscar de Marcos. After their latest captain, and the second player with more appearances in the history of the club, decided to retire after the 2025/2025 season, ATHLETIC CLUB needed a top right back and, on July 22nd, signed Jesus Areso after paying his 12M euros buy-out clause. A huge deal for the Basque team in terms of money, but a fantastique way to strengthen their defense, even though they were already the best defense in LaLiga 2024/2025.
However, that was not the first signing the ATHLETIC CLUB made during the latest transfer window. On the 23rd of June, the team from Bilbao announced the signing of Robert Navarro. The 23 year old winger finished his contract with RCD Mallorca and ATHLETIC CLUB signed him for free on a five year deal.
On the last day of the transfer window, Fabrizio Romano and his famous Here we Go confirmed that Aymeric Laporte was signing a contract with Athletic Club. Everything looked fine but the deal collapsed due to paperwork issues with Saudi club Al-Nassr. he Basque side expects a ruling from FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber and if the verdict goes against them, Athletic are prepared to bring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
So we will need to wait to see how this Laporte situation ends, but if Athletic Club manages to unlock this situation, win the case and handle Laporte´s registration, it could be the best transfer window in Athletic Club´s history.
A STRONG LALIGA START AND THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DREAM
The 2025/26 LaLiga season could hardly have begun better for Athletic Club. Three matches, three wins, and a sense that Ernesto Valverde’s side are ready to push higher up the table than in recent years. The Basques have shown versatility—thriving in an end-to-end battle, grinding through a cagey encounter, and standing tall away from home. The season opener was pure drama. Against Sevilla, Athletic raced into a two-goal lead thanks to Nico Williams’ penalty and Maroan Sannadi’s sharp finish just before the interval. But football at San Mamés is never short of tension—Sevilla clawed their way back through Dodi Lukébakio and Lucien Agoumé, silencing the home crowd. It took a late intervention to swing it back. Robert Navarro (one of the new signings) , fed by the inspired Nico Williams, struck the decisive goal to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory. It wasn’t flawless defending, but it was a statement: Athletic will not crumble under pressure.
A week later, the mood at San Mamés was different—calmer, tighter, more tactical. Rayo Vallecano pressed high, forcing Athletic to stay compact and disciplined. For long spells, it looked like points would be dropped. Then came the breakthrough. Oihan Sancet, one of the team’s creative leaders, drew a foul inside the box and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty in the 66th minute. It wasn’t flashy, but the 1-0 win underlined Athletic’s ability to grind out results.
The third test came on the road, with Real Betis hosting at La Cartuja. Away days in Andalusia are never straightforward, but Athletic imposed themselves with maturity. A stroke of luck broke the deadlock—Marc Bartra’s own goal in the 60th minute. Yet luck favours the brave, and Athletic didn’t sit back. Aitor Paredes powered home a second late on, effectively killing the game. A stoppage-time strike from Cédric Bakambu made for a nervy finish, but Athletic walked away with a deserved 2-1 victory and a third straight win.
In September Athletic Club will also play its first Champions League match in 11 years, against Arsenal in La Catedral.. And after these promising results on the first LaLiga matches the Basque side and its fans are willing to dream. It is never easy to win in San Mames and Arsenal will suffer to take the 3 points back to London.
IT'S TIME TO DREAM, ATHLETICZALES!