Football Season Guide

Athletic Club returned to winning silverware with the Copa del Rey in 2023/24, and they also secured a return to European action with a fifth-placed finish after their form dropped off following the Copa del Rey final, eliminating any hopes of a top-four finish. Coach Ernesto Valverde has slimmed down his squad, with a number of reserve players moving on, and has added quality with Andoni Gorosabel in defence and Alvaro Djalo in attack, which is likely to strengthen their starting line-up. Only champions Real Madrid conceded fewer goals in LaLiga last season, but the team's biggest strength could be their threat down the flanks with Nico Williams retained and the pace of Alvaro Djalo also brought in from Braga. The test will come in seeing whether the club's thinner squad will be able to handle the demands of competing in Europe as well as domestically. The squad's strongest XI is among Spain's best, but those in reserve lack experience in many positions. They aren't helped by a tough start to the season, with games against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid before the end of August, but Valverde has proven himself as a coach who can get the best out of a team unit.