Athletic Team News - Soccer

Nico Serrano - Returns in friendly Serrano (hip) came off the bench during Wednesday's 3-0 friendly win over Racing Santander.

Impact Serrano entered the game in the 60th minute to replace Robert Navarro. The young forward had suffered a minor injury earlier this month, but seeing him log minutes in preseason suggests he should be ready to be an option going forward. That said, he's expected to be a depth option in Athletic's attack in the 2026/27 season, so his fantasy appeal won't be very high even if he stays healthy.

18 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Aymeric Laporte - Posts three clearances in victory Laporte registered one shot (one on goal), three clearances and two interceptions in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Impact Laporte put in a fine effort over 99 minutes of play, helping his national team to yet another clean sheet in an extra-time win over Argentina. He started in each of Spain's eight matches during an impressive World Cup run in which they allowed only one goal. Over that period, he also ranked first and second on the squad with averages of 1.9 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per game, respectively.

JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Earns clean sheet versus Argentina Simon made no saves and secured a clean sheet in Sunday's 1-0 win versus Argentina.

Impact Simon didn't manage to make a save as the Argentinian attackers lacked good aim during the World Cup final, though the keeper still made some important runs that prevented the opposition from getting clear chances in front of goal. His final numbers across the entire tournament included 10 saves, seven clean sheets and an impressive record of one goal conceded in eight matches played. He'll look to remain a consistent participant for both club and country following a short rest ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Assists off bench in WC finale Williams assisted once to go with three shots (two on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 1-0 win versus Argentina.

Impact Williams gave a speed and dribbling boost to his team's attack after taking Alex Baena's place in the second half against Argentina. The Athletic Bilbao man missed a good chance but made up for it by heading a ball back for Ferran Torres to score the decisive goal in the 106th minute. Coming off a tricky groin injury, Williams struggled to regain fitness at the beginning of the World Cup, and his role increased gradually over the final contests, and the assist was his lone goal contribution in 108 minutes of play. At 24 years old, he's already an important part of Spanish football history with his participation in World Cup and European Championship titles, remaining an elite dribbler and playmaker ahead of future seasons.

JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Dealing with hamstring injury Vivian has been diagnosed with a right hamstring injury, the club announced Thursday.

Impact Vivian underwent tests Thursday morning, and the results revealed a hamstring problem, but the extent of the injury isn't known yet. Vivian should compete for steady playing time at center-back if healthy, but he should have plenty of time to recover since the 2026/27 Liga season will start in late August, with Athletic playing their first match against Sevilla on Aug. 22.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Maroan Sannadi - Diagnosed with knee injury Sannadi has been diagnosed with a left knee injury, the club announced Thursday.

Impact Sannadi is expected to be a depth option in Athletic Club's attacking line, but in normal conditions, he shouldn't see a ton of minutes. Further tests will be needed to determine when Sannadi will be able to return to training, but even in the best-case scenario, this absence shouldn't affect many fantasy decisions once the 2026/27 Liga season starts in August. Athletic Club open their campaign against Sevilla on Aug. 22.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Aymeric Laporte - Records four clearances in win Laporte registered four clearances and two interceptions in Tuesday's 2-0 win over France.

Impact Laporte did a good job in the middle of a back line that earned its sixth clean sheet in seven games, doing so in the most difficult of those contests so far. Despite some ups and downs in terms of clearance numbers, he has been a valuable contributor throughout the competition, making at least one interception in each of his seven starts and averaging 75.9 accurate passes per match.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Big clean sheet against France Simon registered three saves and secured a clean sheet in Tuesday's 2-0 victory against France.

Impact Simon rose to the challenge when required and was also helped by Spain's excellent defensive performance and a disappointing day for the French attackers. Prior to this match, the goalkeeper had yet to make three or more saves in a single game during the World Cup, but he finally reached that mark while adding to an impressive total of six clean sheets over seven appearances. Up next is the championship matchup, where his run of form will be put to the test again regardless of who wins the remaining semifinal.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Serrano - Suffers minor muscle injury Serrano is dealing with a minor muscle injury in his left rectus femoris and was unable to participate fully in team training, the club announced.

Impact Serrano picked up a mild muscular issue in his left thigh that limited his involvement in training sessions. While the injury is not believed to be serious, the winger's status will depend on how he responds to treatment in the coming days. Further updates on his availability are expected as the club continues to monitor his recovery.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Aymeric Laporte - Makes two clearances in win Laporte had one tackle (one won), two clearances and one interception in Friday's 2-1 victory over Belgium. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 93rd minute.

Impact Laporte had another quiet outing, and he's tallied just three clearances, two interceptions and one tackle in his last two starts. Despite the subpar fantasy numbers, Laporte should keep his place in the XI to face France on Sunday. He's the most experienced piece of a defense that has allowed just one goal through six World Cup matches so far.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Unbeaten record comes to end Simon registered one save and allowed one goal in Friday's 2-1 win versus Belgium.

Impact Simon was beaten late in the first half after Charles De Ketelaere nodded in a perfect cross from close range, a goal that ended his all-time unbeaten record in World Cup action. However, he didn't have much work after that. Simon looked a bit rattled in the second half, particularly when he had to play with his feet, and he nearly committed a mistake that would've given Belgium a late equalizer. Simon should remain between the posts for the semifinals against France on Tuesday.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Fit for quarterfinal Williams (groin) is fit for Friday's quarterfinal against Belgium, according to Diario SPORT.

Impact Williams was on the bench for Spain in the round of 16 but didn't play, still not completely fit. However, the winger now appears to be fully fit, leaving him to be an option for the starting XI in future games. That said, he could earn a starting role on the left wing of the attack as Spain advances in the tournament, as he was a major part of their Euro run in 2024.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Aymeric Laporte - Quiet against Portugal Laporte generated one clearance in Monday's 1-0 win against Portugal.

Impact Laporte was locked up much of the game despite usually having the ball at his feet to start the attack for Spain, as he was tightly marked most of the match, only completing 37 passes. However, he would still help his team earn a fifth straight clean sheet, notching one clearance during the win. The veteran should remain a significant part of the defense moving forward as they eye another clean sheet in the quarterfinals.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Another clean sheet Simon recorded two saves and secured a clean sheet in Monday's 1-0 win against Portugal.

Impact Simon was excellent for Spain once again, as he made two saves to hold Portugal from scoring and earn yet another clean sheet. That said, he now has five clean sheets in Spain's five World Cup matches, having yet to allow an opposing team to score. He will now prepare to face Belgium or the USA in the quarterfinals, likely eyeing another clean sheet as Spain continues a historic defensive run.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Picked for bench Williams (groin) is on the bench for Monday's match against Portugal.

Impact Williams is back with the team as expected following a groin injury, fit enough to take a spot on the bench. This will give the Spanish team a very useful super-sub from the bench, likely to enter in the later stages of the match. If at his best, he could be a real danger to Portugal, especially in a tight contest that could see extra time.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Back in preseason training Sancet returned to preseason training with Athletic Bilbao after missing the end of the 2025-26 campaign due to a hamstring injury, according to the club.

Impact Sancet appears to have recovered from the hamstring issue that sidelined him for the final weeks of last season. The attacking midfielder was included among the players reporting for the start of preseason preparations under new coach Edin Terzic, an encouraging sign for his availability heading into the new campaign. His return gives him a full preseason to rebuild fitness and sharpen his form after an injury-disrupted finish to the year. Sancet remains one of the squad's most influential attacking players when healthy and should be expected to play a prominent role if he avoids further setbacks.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Ready for preseason work Berenguer was spotted in training and appears ready for preseason preparations with Athletic Bilbao, according to the club.

Impact Berenguer looks to have put any fitness concerns behind him after returning to the training pitch ahead of the new campaign. The attacker is expected to be available when preseason activities begin, providing an early boost to the squad's preparations. His return allows him to build match fitness and regain rhythm before competitive action resumes. Berenguer should have ample opportunity to compete for a regular role during preseason.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Andoni Gorosabel - Adductor injury confirmed Gorosabel was diagnosed with a moderate injury to his right adductor longus muscle, according to the club.

Impact Gorosabel is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering the muscular issue, although the club did not provide a timetable for his return. The defender has been a regular option on the right side and his absence could create an opportunity for another player to step into the starting lineup. Recovery from adductor injuries can vary depending on the severity and the player's response to treatment. Gorosabel's progress will continue to be monitored as he works toward a return to action.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Should be available Monday Williams (groin) trained fully with the Spain squad on Sunday in Dallas alongside all 26 players, putting him on course to be available for Monday's round of 16 clash against Portu...

Impact Williams had missed the round of 32 victory over Austria due to the adductor injury he suffered against Uruguay, but his return to collective training the day before the Portugal fixture is the clearest sign yet that he has recovered sufficiently to feature. That said, it is unlikely to see him start against the Portuguese, with Alex Baena as the likely option to begin on the left wing. Coach Luis de la Fuente now has his full squad available for what promises to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Four crosses made Williams had three shots (zero on goal) and four crosses (one accurate) in Friday's 1-0 loss against Colombia.

Impact Williams wrapped up his World Cup campaign with 62 minutes against Colombia, delivering four crosses and registering two blocked shots. Throughout the tournament he split minutes almost evenly with Kamaldeen Sulemana, finishing with 128 total minutes across two matches, producing three shots and three recoveries in what ultimately amounted to a quiet showing for the veteran winger.

JULY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Aingeru Olabarrieta - Returning after loan spell Olabarrieta has returned to Athletic Club after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at FC Andorra.

Impact Olabarrieta recorded one goal across 29 appearances with Andorra, but he lost his place in the starting XI as the season progressed. As a young forward who's under contract for three more years, Olabarrieta is expected to go out on loan once again in the 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Aymeric Laporte - Keeps another clean sheet Laporte generated two shots (zero on goal) in Thursday's 3-0 victory against Austria. He also recorded three tackles, four clearances and two interceptions.

Impact Laporte, as well as Pau Cubarsi, had to deal with the towering threat of Michael Gregoritsch and Marko Arnautovic, but the Athletic Club defender had another sound display at the back en route to Spain's fourth consecutive clean sheet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Through four starts, Laporte has racked up 19 clearances, nine interceptions and four tackles.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Breaks all-time record in win Simon had no saves and secured a clean sheet in Thursday's 3-0 win versus Austria.

Impact Simon didn't have much work throughout the game, as Austria failed to pose much of a threat beyond some isolated attacks. Spain have yet to concede a goal in four World Cup matches, and there's no reason to think the Athletic Club goalkeeper will leave his starting role despite the competition from David Raya and Joan Garcia. Simon should remain between the posts in the Round of 16, where Spain will face either Portugal or Croatia. He surpassed the mark of 518 minutes without conceding a goal in World Cup matches, breaking the all-time record set by Walter Zenga in Italy 1990.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Julen Agirrezabala - Returns to Athletic Club Agirrezabala will return to parent club Athletic Club following the conclusion of his loan spell at Valencia, according to Superdeporte.

Impact Agirrezabala endured a difficult year at Mestalla, with several injuries limiting his appearances significantly in the second half of the season. The Spanish goalkeeper had been brought in on loan to add competition between the posts and now heads back to Athletic Club for pre-season, targeting a stronger 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Deemed discomfort, won't play Williams (groin) is out for Thursday's match against Austria, according to manager Luis de la Fuente, per Juan Ignacio Lechuga of El Desmarque. "Thank God, he is experiencing some...

Impact Williams was trending towards being out Thursday, and that will come to fruition, as his groin injury, which has been downgraded to discomfort, is still too much to play through. The good news is he is trending towards a return in the round of 16, so if Spain is to advance, he will be an option. It appears then they are just taking the cautious route to make sure he doesn't suffer a setback, having yet to start this tournament due to his injury concerns.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

ATHLETIC NEWS

NEWS

SCHEDULE

STANDINGS

ROSTER

VIDEOS

STATS

ODDS