Athletic Bilbao has published its squad list for the matchday nine matchday of the League against Valencia, with a notable change in the lineup: defender AymericLaporte returns to the national team after being absent, while winger Djaló is ruled out due to a minor infection. Coach UnaiTerzic confirmed that the Frenchman is now available after having been rested all week, but the 28-year-old is not among those chosen for tonight's match.
Djaló's absence is due to an infection that has been detected at the end, according to the coaching staff. Terzic added that, although he would assess his condition, the final decision was not to include him in the draw. The same coach highlighted that the young winger ChristianImga, just 17 years old, has been called up for the second time with the first team, after traveling to Vallecas to cover the absences of NicoWilliams and Djaló in the right winger position, along with OihanSancet.
The complete list of players called up includes UnaiSimón, Padilla, Vivian, Paredes, Yeray, Prados, Berenguer, IñakiWilliams, Guruzeta, Areso, Laporte, HugoRincón, RuizdeGalarreta, Yuri, Jauregizar, Rego, Maroan, NicoSerrano, RobertNavarro, Gerenabarrena, Canales, Johaneko and Imga. The red and white team travels today on a charter flight from Loiu airport at 11 a.m., arriving at the “Exe Rey DonJaime” concentration hotel around one in the afternoon.
The match will be held at the Vallecas Stadium at 9 p.m., with the presence of referee AdriánCorderoVega. The call-up reflects Terzic's strategy of combining experience and youth, keeping the team in shape to face the day with the maximum possible preparation. With the absence of Djaló and the incorporation of Imga, Athletic seeks to balance its squad and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the match against Valencia.