Defender Aymeric Laporte played the full 90 minutes for Athletic Bilbao in the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match against RC Celta de Vigo. The fixture took place on Sunday, 30th August 2026 at the Estadio de Balaídos in Vigo, as reported by the photographic agency NurPhoto via Reuters Connect.
Miguel Lemos, a photographer for NurPhoto, captured the Spanish international in action. "Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao is seen on action during the RC Celta x Athletic Club match for the La Liga EA Sports 2026/27 at Estadio de Balaidos in Vigo, Spain, on August 30, 2026", Lemos said. The licensable image was originally reported by www.reutersconnect.com this week.
How is Athletic Bilbao lining up?
Laporte's presence from the start is a key detail for the Athletic Bilbao squad in 2026. The centre-back, with extensive top-level experience, is a mainstay of the red-and-white defence. His composure and ball-playing ability are assets highly valued by the manager. Against Celta, he partnered with another homegrown defender, underscoring the strength of the club's philosophy.
You can check the full team roster and shirt numbers on our squad page. Athletic Club de Bilbao only fields Basque players or those trained in the region, a policy that defines its identity and transfer strategy. This season, the starting goalkeeper remains Unai Simón, another cornerstone of the project.
What happened in the match at Balaídos?
The clash in Vigo was another early-season test for Ernesto Valverde's side. Celta, backed by their home support, always presents a tough challenge at their ground. The match was part of the third round of the championship, a period where teams look to solidify their playing style. Live competition data shows Athletic maintained possession during the game, reflecting their attempt to control the tempo.
The defence, marshalled by Laporte, had to be alert to the counter-attacks of a Celta side with pace in attack. The fixture was part of an initial run of games fans can track on our fixtures schedule. The result of this specific match directly impacts the league standings, where every point counts from day one.
What is the context for the 2026/27 season?
This campaign represents a fresh opportunity for Athletic Bilbao to push for their goals in the top flight. The team starts with the ambition of improving on last season's position and competing for a European qualification spot. The continuity of players like Laporte and Simón provides stability to a squad blending experience with youth.
The roster has been strengthened in some key areas during the summer transfer window, always adhering to the cantera policy. Squad depth will be an important factor for navigating the long season, especially during periods of injury or suspension. The club's stats page offers a detailed breakdown of individual and collective performance across the matchdays.
Athletic Club's next official LaLiga fixture is scheduled for the weekend of September 2026, according to the official calendar published by the federation.
