Athletic renews its midfield

Terzic has settled on his preferred Athletic midfield after three months, with Gerenabarrena and Canales promoted from the second division to lead the team's engine room.

After three months and a dozen matches, Athletic manager Edin Terzic has established his core eleven, with notable changes in midfield. Gerenabarrena and Canales, both recently returned from loan spells in LaLiga Hypermotion, have been elevated to key roles in the team's midfield, alongside Nico Williams on the wing.

The shift reflects Terzic's tactical evolution from an initial 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2 formation, adapted as injuries to Maroan and Guruzeta forced rotation changes.

The manager has also introduced Hugo Rincón as his preferred right-back, marking the first time a specialist in that position features prominently in his starting lineup. Meanwhile, veteran players remain central: Laporte (32) is immovable at centre-back, Iñaki Williams (32) leads the attack, and Berenguer (31) operates on the left wing.

Sancet, sidelined by a calf injury, is notably absent from the core group despite being the 12th-ranked player by minutes. The midfield renewal has coincided with Athletic's improved form, collecting seven points from their last nine before the international break.