Up and down for Athletic's right-back spot

Terzic has rotated right-back options, with Hugo Rincón earning recent starts over Areso, the €12m signing from Osasuna two years ago.

Edin Terzic began his Athletic tenure backing Jesús Areso as the starting right-back, fielding him in the league opener against Sevilla and in consecutive matches against Celta, Atlético Madrid and Elche. However, Areso has since struggled for minutes in the league, appearing only as a substitute or not at all.

Hugo Rincón, another Navarrese defender, has claimed the right-back spot in Athletic's last four league games, improving as the season progresses. Terzic has also used Johaneko in the position, though that experiment lasted only 45 minutes against Alavés. The competition for the role is intense, with Areso's form declining sharply under the new manager.

Areso, signed from Osasuna for €12 million two summers ago, made 34 official appearances in his first season as a lion, including 17 starts. Athletic face Osasuna tomorrow at El Sadar, where Areso played last season as a substitute. The Cascante native was whistled by the home crowd then, as is typical for Athletic players returning to their former club. Whether Terzic gives him minutes tomorrow remains to be seen.