Athletic Team News - Soccer

Aitor Paredes - Seven clearances in loss Paredes generated one tackle (zero won), seven clearances and two interceptions in Monday's 2-1 loss versus Espanyol.

Impact Paredes was unable to prevent his side from conceding two goals in Monday's match against Espanyol, despite contributing two interceptions, one tackle and seven clearances. The center-back has taken advantage of injuries to Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche, as well as Dani Vivian's suspension, to make a third consecutive La Liga start, but his playing time is likely to decrease once those defenders return.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Nets opener Alex Berenguer scored one goal to go with four shots (three on goal), 10 crosses (one accurate) and seven corners in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Espanyol.

Impact Berenguer opened the scoring in Monday's loss to Espanyol, pouncing on a loose ball after a scramble in the box. He did everything he could to spark the attack, firing four shots, creating two chances and sending in 10 crosses. The Spaniard, who handles a large share of set pieces and remains a constant presence on the flank, has delivered 29 crosses and scored twice over his last four La Liga appearances.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Three saves against Espanyol Simon made three saves and allowed two goals in Monday's 2-1 loss against Espanyol.

Impact Simon endured a difficult outing against Espanyol on Monday, conceding two goals for the second straight match while making three saves. The goalkeeper is going through a challenging season, often left exposed by his defense, as evidenced by recording at least two saves in 20 matches across all competitions. He will look to bounce back after the winter break when his side faces Osasuna in La Liga.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Clears suspension Vivian is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Vivian has served his suspension due to yellow cards accumulation in La Liga and is set to return in the next contest. The center-back has been an undisputed starter in the backline for Athletic Club and will claim back his role now that he is an option.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Espanyol comes from behind to beat Athletic and deepen gloom in Bilbao

Espanyol has beaten Athletic 2-1 in Bilbao to win a fifth consecutive match in La Liga

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Getafe stunned by second-tier Burgos in Copa del Rey, Athletic and Real Betis advance

Getafe has become the latest top-division club to be eliminated in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey after losing 3-1 to second-tier team Burgos

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Yuri Berchiche - Suffers hamstring injury Berchiche suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Celta Vigo and requires further scans, according to the club.

Impact Berchiche is out for the time being after suffering a hamstring injury in Sunday's defeat that will require further assessment. This is a blow for the Basques since the left-back has been an undisputed starter in the backline under coach Ernesto Valverde and his absence will force a change in the starting XI, with Adama Boiro likely replacing him while he is sidelined.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Set for suspension Vivian will serve one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in La Liga.

Impact Vivian accumulated five yellow cards in La Liga and will be suspended for the clash against Espanyol on Monday. His absence will impact the starting squad since he has been an undisputed starter in central defense for the Basques, with Inigo Lekue as the most likely option to replace him given the absences in the backline. Vivian will be back available for the clash against Osasuna on Jan. 3.

DECEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Mbappé scores in his return from injury as Madrid beats Alaves in boost for Alonso

Kylian Mbappé has scored in his return from injury

DECEMBER 14 • Associated Press

Alex Berenguer - Tallies four crosses in loss Berenguer recorded one shot (one on goal), four crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-0 defeat versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Berenguer was disappointing as he didn't have too many set pieces and played only 45 minutes Sunday. The versatile attacker has started 12 games over the last three months, a period in which he benefited from the unavailability of Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet. However, he's at risk of falling into the rotation now that the team is at almost full strength in attack. Berenguer has one goal and three assists over 20 matches and is averaging 1.5 shots (0.6 on goal), 6.6 crosses (1.6 accurate) and 1.8 chances created per contest.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Misses penalty in defeat Williams registered two shots (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Celta Vigo.

Impact Williams had a chance to reduce the scoring deficit, but he took a penalty shot low and down the middle of the goal in the 65th minute of the game. Despite leading the squad with five goal involvements in league play, he's somewhat below his potential lately, having recorded zero goals and just one assist across his last four starts. Even so, he's usually influential in terms of dribbling and playmaking.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Limited impact in loss Sancet generated one shot (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 loss versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Sancet still hasn't found his pace in three games played after returning from suspension. The midfielder failed to score or assist for the 15th time in a row in all competitions while adding just one shot and one chance created to his totals of 30 and 20, respectively, throughout the campaign. He's expected to retain the starting spot in a No. 10 role, but his poor form and decreasing playing time are bad signs for his overall value.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Concedes two goals to Celta Simon registered no saves and allowed two goals in Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Celta Vigo.

Impact Simon struggled as his side paid the price for defensive errors during the defeat. It was the first time he finished a match with no saves since January, when it happened also against Celta. Prior to Sunday's slump, he was on a positive streak with 24 saves and five clean sheets over a seven-game period considering both domestic and European action. He'll look to get back on track in a home meeting against Espanyol, who have scored seven goals in as many away games during the current La Liga season.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Leaves with injury Berchiche was forced off the field in the 50th minute of Sunday's match against Celta Vigo due to an apparent injury.

Impact Berchiche would exit the field shortly after halftime Sunday, with the defender exiting the field due to a knock. This is something to watch for the club, hoping they don't lose their left-back for a longer period. He was replaced by Adama Boiro, a likely replacement at left-back if he misses more time.

DECEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Next Real Madrid manager: Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and the seven candidates to replace doomed Xabi Alonso after Man City humbling

Everything was looking rosy for Xabi Alonso after a thumping 4-0 home win over Valencia on November 1, which was Real Madrid's 13th victory...

DECEMBER 11 • goal

Next Real Madrid manager: Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and the seven candidates to replace doomed Xabi Alonso after Man City humbling

Alex Berenguer - Seven crosses in a tie Alex Berenguer registered three shots (zero on goal), seven crosses (zero accurate) and four corners in Wednesday's 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. In addition, he was given...

Impact Berenguer made his third consecutive Champions League start of the season on Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain but wasn't able to make a decisive impact despite taking three shots and sending in seven crosses. He remains an important piece for his team as a set-piece taker, though his production has been limited, with just one goal and three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season.

DECEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Four saves in draw Simon recorded four saves and allowed zero goals in Wednesday's 0-0 draw versus Paris Saint-Germain.

Impact Simon delivered an excellent performance to preserve the draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, making four saves to secure his second consecutive Champions League clean sheet. The goalkeeper has made at least two stops in each of his six Champions League matches this season and will look to secure a third straight clean sheet in all competitions when his team faces Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday.

DECEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Suspension served Paredes served a one-match ban during Wednesday's clash with PSG and is now eligible to return.

Impact Paredes served the ban for yellow card accumulation and is now available for selection once more. He's started consistently in recent weeks, though he's been rotated at times throughout the season. Paredes is now back fully available for when the Champions League resumes in January.

DECEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Fit for bench Williams (groin) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against PSG.

Impact Williams is finally an option again after months out due to injury, last an option mid-October. However, he is limited in his return, only earning a spot on the bench for his return. He will likely see the start again in the coming games, typically a starting forward when fit.

DECEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Trains, should be option Williams (groin) trained ahead of Wednesday's match against PSG and should be an option, according to Iker Torrrescusa of Marca.

Impact Williams rejoined training Monday and is now on the mend for play, with the forward expected to be an option Wednesday. The forward has missed action over the past month of action due to the injury, so this is major news for the club. The question is how much he can be used on Wednesday, possibly set for a more limited role right after the injury.

DECEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Suspended for UCL play Paredes is suspended for Wednesday's match against PSG due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Paredes is hitting the sidelines for a UCL outing after a third yellow card of the campaign last outing. Unfortunately for the club, this is a rough loss, as he has yet to miss a start in UCL play, with Inigo Lekue or Andoni Gorosabel likely to enter the starting XI in his place. He will only miss the one match due to suspension, hoping to return to his starting role once an option again.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Five shots in home win Oihan Sancet recorded five shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Sancet returned from suspension to take five shots as his side won 1-0 against Atletico Madrid. This is the most shots he has taken in a game this season, and despite scoring 15 goals last season, he has only managed one this season.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Assists winner in home win Nico Williams assisted once to go with three shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Nico Williams assisted his second goal of the season and helped his team to a 1-0 win. He has created eight chances in the last three games, his most in a three-game spell this season. He also took three shots for the sixth time this season.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Scores only goal in home win Alex Berenguer scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and five corners in Saturday's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Berenguer scored his first goal of the season as he helped his side to a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid. He has also provided two assists in La Liga this year, and all of these goal involvements have come in the last three matches. In his last four games, he has created 10 chances, four of which came in this game. This is the most chances that he has created in a game this season. He took eight corners in the game and completed three of them. He has only attempted more crosses in five games this season.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Three saves in clean sheet win Simon recorded three saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Simon kept his fifth La Liga clean sheet of the season and has kept one clean sheet in his five Champions League games. Of these six clean sheets, four have come in the last six games. He has also made at least three saves in each of the last five games.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

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Espanyol comes from behind to beat Athletic and deepen gloom in Bilbao

Getafe stunned by second-tier Burgos in Copa del Rey, Athletic and Real Betis advance

Mbappé scores in his return from injury as Madrid beats Alaves in boost for Alonso

Next Real Madrid manager: Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and the seven candidates to replace doomed Xabi Alonso after Man City humbling