Athletic Bilbao keeps a watchful eye in the first pre‑season week

Yuri Martínez and Iker Berenguer, two veterans of Athletic Bilbao, took part in the July 10 training session at Lezama with caution, with no medical report of injury. The squad, led by Edin Terzic, will continue its preparation with two friendlies this weekend.

What happened in yesterday's session?

During the day, the first‑team players performed a continuous run while the veterans waited on the sidelines. When the group finished the drill, Yuri and Berenguer joined the collective work. No medical update was issued, so both are assumed to be fully fit. In contrast, Jon Gorosabel arrived with a medical note announcing a muscle injury, trained only with the rehab staff and will miss the early friendlies.

Why does this matter for Athletic Bilbao?

The presence of Martínez and Berenguer, each with more than a decade at the club, adds stability to a squad that is being refreshed. Their careful involvement shows that coach Terzic aims to balance training intensity with injury prevention. Moreover, the absence of Gorosabel and centre‑back Egiluz, who is recovering from a second knee surgery, forces the manager to test defensive alternatives.

What comes next for Athletic Bilbao?

After yesterday's session, Athletic will have a day off on July 11 before resuming training at 10:30 a.m. On Wednesday, July 12, they will face Derio in Portugalete, and on Saturday, July 15, they will play Leioa in Sarriena. Both matches will be used to fine‑tune tactics and assess players currently on the sidelines, such as Gorosabel and Egiluz, ahead of the official season.

What does the coaching staff say?

Mikel Terzic, marking his first week in charge, noted that discipline and attention to detail are essential at this stage. According to former player‑turned‑assistant Iñaki Urrutia, the group has shown a positive attitude and the ability to adapt to physical demands without losing competitiveness. With the 2026‑27 campaign looming, Athletic Bilbao appears to be building a solid foundation for the challenges ahead.