Athletic moving in the right direction

Athletic Bilbao sits seventh with 16 points ahead of the international break, two points behind sixth-placed Sevilla and a potential Europa League spot.

Athletic Bilbao enters the international break in seventh place with 16 points, two points adrift of sixth-placed Sevilla who occupy the final European qualification spot. A win at Rayo Vallecas would lift them into continental positions.

Under manager Terzic, Athletic has shown marked improvement compared to their position in September. They arrive at this break with a different mood after taking seven points from nine in recent matches. Over their last ten games, they have suffered just one defeat, with five wins and four draws since their loss at Camp Nou on August 27.

Victories have come against European competitors—Atlético Madrid, Celta, Real Sociedad and Getafe—though they have struggled against lower-placed sides, failing to beat any of the bottom five teams they have faced.

Athletic's current trajectory mirrors their 2024-25 season when they finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Under Valverde they were sixth with 19 points after 12 matches; Terzic's side would match that record with a win at Vallecas.

The club's stated objective is to return to European football after a disappointing previous campaign. When they resume on December 20 against Espanyol, they will face two lower-placed opponents in quick succession.