Athletic Bilbao continues a League campaign that has become increasingly complicated. To date, the team has played only six of the initial eight matches of the tournament, after the cancellation of its visit to Levante and the suspension of the scheduled match against Real Vallecas. This delay has left the lions with a month without competition, with their last away game being on August 30. The lack of games has generated concern among fans and the club's management.
Among the curiosities surrounding the situation, it is worth noting that Athletic played its second matchday before the first, facing Sevilla in San Mamés. In that match, a player scored a goal and, a few hours later, signed with a French club, adding an extra tone of surprise to the season. Furthermore, of the five international players called up in the last FIFA break, only three were available for the match against Vallecas; one of the others was called to the call after having previously been excluded.
In the table, the team occupies tenth position, which places it closer to the relegation zone than to the European qualification places. Despite the apparent complacency in and around the Ibaigane area, the club management remains officially silent, which has caused some concern among fans. Coach Xabi Alonso, who is in the process of consolidating and reconfiguring the squad after the end of the four-year cycle under the direction of Valverde, faces the challenge of regaining competitiveness amid stoppages, suspensions and injuries.
Athletic needs to score points immediately to move away from the risk zone. The next few games will be crucial to determine if the team can overcome the inactivity phase and compete strongly again. With the season still in its early stages, squad management and game strategy will be determining factors in defining the club's course in the League.