Athletic Team News Page 11 - Soccer

Unai Simon - Makes one save in win Simon registered one save and allowed one goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Betis.

Impact Simon made just one save for the second game in a row and now has six in three starts in 2025-26. The goalkeeper has one clean sheet over that span. He will now look to keep the momentum against Alaves on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Padilla - Receives red card Padilla has received a red card in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Betis and will be suspended for at least one game.

Impact Padilla received a red card alongside coach Ernesto Valverde for contestation in Sunday's victory against Betis and will therefore be suspended for at least one game against Alaves on Sept. 13. That said, Padilla is only the backup goalkeeper to Unai Simon, therefore his absence will not impact the starting XI.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Out Sunday De Galarreta is out for Sunday's match against Betis.

Impact De Galarreta is not going to make the call Sunday despite his chances of being an option if he passed a late fitness test, with the midfielder now on the sidelines. He started in both matches to open the season, so they will hope his absence is short, with Benat Prados Diaz taking his spot Sunday.

AUGUST 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Late call against Betis De Galarreta (undisclosed) will be a late call for Sunday's clash against Betis, coach Ernesto Valverde said in the press conference. "He has some discomfort."

Impact De Galarreta is dealing with some discomfort and will be a late call for Sunday's clash against Betis. The midfielder will be assessed after the final training session to know if he can be part of the squad to face the Sevillians. That said, if he has to miss the game, it would be a big blow for Athletic since he is an undisputed starter in the midfield and also the set piece taker on various occasions. Benat Prados Diaz is expected to start in the midfield if De Galarreta cannot make the call.

AUGUST 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Won't play vs. Real Betis Lekue (groin) won't be an option to face Real Betis on Sunday, according to Spanish outlet Radio Nervion.

Impact Lekue suffered what has been described as a "moderate groin injury" in his right leg, and this injury will sideline him for the match against Betis at a bare minimum. The recovery process will determine whether he'll be ready to face Alaves after the international break. Even if he's back, though, his fantasy upside would be minimal since he's a depth option on the defensive line.

AUGUST 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Suffers injury Lekue suffered a muscle injury in his adductor and was unable to train, according to his club.

Impact Lekue looks to be in question for Sunday's match against Betis after the defender went down during a training session with a muscle issue. Not much else has been released on his situation, leaving any sort of return up in the air. He is more of a depth option after not appearing in either of their games to start the season, so this is a minor loss if he misses time.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Six clearances in win Vivian generated two tackles (two won) and six clearances in Monday's 1-0 victory versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Vivian started at center-back and went the distance as Athletic held Rayo to six shots and just one on target. The defender partnered Aitor Paredes effectively to see out late pressure and contributed solidly in defense, committing only one foul, winning two tackles and making six clearances during the game at San Mames. Vivian collected his first clean sheet of the league season and will hope to add another one against Betis on Sunday.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Three shots in victory Williams generated three shots (two on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Monday's 1-0 win versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Williams was a constant outlet on the left, forcing a good save from Augusto Batalla around the hour and sending another effort over soon after. He drew two fouls, drove at Andrei Ratiu repeatedly and helped tilt the second half toward Athletic while contributing three shots and two chances created. Williams could not be decisive in this game compared to his two decisive actions in the opener against Sevilla but kept a good intensity and impact, suggesting the winger is in good shape in this first stretch of the season.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Decisive in return Sancet scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Monday's 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Sancet entered at half-time in his return from a knee injury and changed the match by pressing high to win a penalty after contact with Gerard Gumbau. He converted the spot kick in the 66th minute for the only goal of the game and later went close from distance. Sancet logged 45 minutes in his league return, contributing two shots, one chance created and two clearances.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Keeps cleansheet in victory Simon registered one save and secured a clean sheet in Monday's 1-0 victory versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Simon recorded a shutout as Athletic limited Rayo to one shot on target from six total attempts. He made one save while commanding an area that saw Rayo send in six corners. The clean sheet was his first of the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, following their victory against Sevilla in the opener. Simon will hope to build on that performance and keep his net empty against Betis on Sunday.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - With team Monday Sancet (knee) is on the bench for Monday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Sancet has returned from his knee injury despite some doubts around his inclusion, with the attacker fit enough to see a bench spot. He started in 19 of his 29 appearances last season while battling through injuries, likely to capture a starting role soon after testing his legs.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Benat Prados - Bench option Prados (thigh) is on the bench for Monday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Prados was a late call but appears to have passed his testing ahead of the contest after he earned a spot on the bench. The midfielder will likely be used as a depth option moving forward and filling in when injuries occur, starting in 21 of his 30 appearances last season.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Optimistic for return Sancet (knee) was back in training and a possibility for Monday's match against Rayo Vallecano after making the squad list.

Impact Sancet suffered an MCL injury at the beginning of August, but could be seeing a return soon after he was able to train this week, and will now possibly make the team sheet. He will likely still need to pass some testing to be an option with his late call tag. That said, even if he is fit, a minor role will likely be his spot after such doubt, looking to see a starting role after testing his legs.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Benat Prados - Possibility for Monday Prados (thigh) was back in training this week and is a late call for Monday's match against Rayo Vallecano after making the squad list.

Impact Prados suffered a thigh injury around three weeks ago, but may be on the mend this week after he was back in training. This will make him a late call for the contest, likely needing to pass some testing to be an option. That said, if he is fit, he will probably see a bench spot, testing his legs before a full return.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Four saves in win Simon allowed two goals while making four saves during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Simon allowed two second half goals, but held on long enough for Athletic to find a late game winner. The keeper will hope to keep the momentum rolling next week against Rayo Vallecano.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Creates two chances Williams took an off target shot, crossed once inaccurately and created two chances during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Williams was held off the scoresheet while finishing with the second most chances created on the team. A key figure at the club, Williams will hope to find his way onto the scoresheet next week against Rayo Vallecano.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Stars in season debut Williams scored a goal and added an assist while taking four shots (one on goal), crossing three times (one accurate) and creating three chances during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevill...

Impact Williams opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before setting up Robert Navarro for the game winning goal in the 81st. Williams is off to an excellent start after combining for just 10 goal involvements last year as he also led Athletic in both shots and chances created in the victory.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Maroan Sannadi - Starts, scores in season opener Sannadi scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal), crossing once inaccurately and creating a chance during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Sannadi found the back of the net in the 43rd minute scoring Athletic's second goal. The goal matches all of last season's total for the forward as he started just seven times in the previous campaign.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Navarro - Claims all three points Navarro scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing once inaccurately during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Navarro entered the match in the 67th minute and scored the game winning goal 14 minutes into his appearance. It was a debut goal for Navarro as he matched all of last season's total across 23 appearances with Mallorca.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Makes five clearances Berchiche took an off target shot, crossed three times (one accurate) and made five clearances during Sunday's 3-2 win over Sevilla.

Impact Berchiche was a part of the Athletic back line that allowed two goals Sunday, leading the team with five clearances. The defender is coming off of a season with two goal involvements over 30 appearances.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Starts despite injury Paredes (leg) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Paredes is back with his team after having some doubts coming into the contest, as the defender has recovered from his leg injuries. He immediately sees the start and will look to maintain this role until a few injuries are resolved in the defense, starting in 21 of his 23 appearances last season.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Possibility for Sunday Paredes (leg) is questionable for Sunday's match against Sevilla, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Yes, he has trained normally during the week. We have gone little by littl...

Impact Paredes was battling a muscle overload over the past month and is still trying to make it through for their opener, deemed a late call. That said, he will need to pass some testing to be an option after the absence, likely to find a spot on the bench if fit enough to compete.

AUGUST 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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AUGUST 15, 2025 • NYTIMES.COM

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AUGUST 15, 2025 • NYTIMES.COM

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AUGUST 15, 2025 • NYTIMES.COM

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