Athletic Bilbao manager Edin Terzic substituted Jesús Areso after his defensive mistakes cost two goals in a defeat to Sevilla. The right-back was hooked following errors that contributed to a 3-0 loss at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Tuesday, as reported by El Desmarque.
Areso's first mistake came after a poor clearance from goalkeeper Unai Simón. Sevilla's Oso intercepted the pass and scored the opener. The more glaring error led to the third goal. Inside his own penalty area, Areso attempted a backheel pass to Yeray Álvarez, but the ball hit Oso, who set up Isaac Romero to make it 3-0. Terzic reacted instantly, replacing Areso right after that goal.
How did the team react to the substitution?
The introduction of Aymeric Laporte, with Álex Berenguer shifting to right-back, improved Athletic's performance. The Basque side had more possession and created more attacking opportunities, especially after Hugo Rincón later came on. Despite playing with ten men from the 10th minute due to Yuri Berchiche's red card, the team showed a notable improvement on the right flank after the change. This positive reaction raises questions about the starting lineup for the next fixture.
What did Edin Terzic say about the match?
The German manager commented on the early sending-off of Yuri Berchiche. "We made a very simple mistake by being too optimistic," Terzic stated about the incident that left his team a man down for most of the match. His remarks, reported by El Desmarque, acknowledge a collective error that severely complicated Athletic's evening. The defeat leaves the team in a difficult position in the LaLiga standings.
What are Terzic's options at right-back?
With Andoni Gorosabel likely to depart, Terzic's alternatives are limited. The team's improvement with Berenguer in that role could be a factor. Another option is the experienced Oscar de Marcos. The next test is a tough one: a visit to the Camp Nou to face FC Barcelona. Planning for that match is crucial, and the full schedule can be seen on our fixtures page.
The right-back situation has become an immediate problem for Athletic Bilbao. Areso's individual errors, combined with Gorosabel's potential exit, force Terzic into a quick decision. The team's performance against Sevilla, especially after the substitution, offers a clue about the path forward. The next lineup will reveal whether the manager trusts an internal solution or looks to strengthen the position. Fans can track the squad's development by checking the current squad list.
