Club Profile

Athletic Club

🇪🇸La Liga·2025–26·9th11W / 5D / 13L
Manager:Ernesto Valverde
9
Position
—
Points
—
Goal Diff
—
Goals For
Formation
4-2-3-1
Press
High press
Budget
High
Squad Value
€283M
Avg Age
27.0 yrs
Recent Form
Last 10 matches
W
LEC
2-0
W
BOL
1-0
L
NAP
1-3
D
ROM
1-1
W
JUV
2-1
L
INT
0-2
W
UDI
3-1
D
LAZ
0-0
W
GEN
2-0
L
MIL
1-2
Last 10
5W2D3L
⚽
Top Scorer
Scamacca
8 goals
🎯
Most Assists
De Ketelaere
7 assists
⭐
Best Rating
Éderson
7.4 avg
📅
Most Apps
Carnesecchi
30 apps
Transfermarkt
Tactical Identity
4-2-3-1High PressAlt: 4-3-3In poss: Energetic 4-2-3-1 with Sancet as the #10 linking midfield and attack; Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams provide devastating width while the double pivot alternates possession.Out of poss: High-intensity 4-2-3-1 press with the front four pressing aggressively; Athletic drop quickly into a 4-4-2 mid-block when the press is beaten, using physical intensity to win second balls.

High-energy pressing, physical intensity and passion — quintessential Basque football. Strong in aerial duels, aggressive pressing, direct play. The San Mamés crowd as 12th man.

Valverde's second spell at the club he loves. The unique Basque-only policy restricts the transfer market dramatically but creates an extraordinary identity. Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams provide devastating pace on the flanks. Oihan Sancet pulls strings in midfield. Only 32 goals scored — clinical finishing is the major weakness. Youth academy remains the club's most important asset.

Formation
4-2-3-1
ATTACKING4-2-3-1GKTBDLBTBDCBTBDCBTBDRBTBDDMTBDCMTBDLWTBDAMTBDRWTBDSTTBD
Position
Recruitment need
Selected role
Positional Needs
LBcritical

Yuri Berchiche (36) expiring — veteran left-back in final season, replacement limited by Basque policy

Budget: €10MAge ≤ 27
CBhigh

Yeray Álvarez (31) expiring — experienced CB, significant void if departed

Budget: €8MAge ≤ 28
CFmedium

Only 32 goals — Villalibre aging, need a more clinical No.9 with Basque eligibility

Budget: €8MAge ≤ 25
Squad Overview
€283M
Squad Value
27.0
Avg Age
Key Players
Nico WilliamsIñaki WilliamsOihan SancetUnai SimónDani Vivian
League Position
5Juventus
WLWDW
54
6Roma
WWDLW
54
7Atalanta BC
WDWLL
50
8Lazio
DWLDW
43
9Bologna
LDWWL
42
Expiring Contracts
Summer 2026 · 4 players
Player
Pos
Age
Value
Yuri Berchiche
LB
36
€1.2M
Iñigo Lekue
RB
32
€1.2M
Yeray Álvarez
CB
31
€1M
Alejandro Rego
CM
22
€3M
Balkan Connections
Relevant for agent relationships
No Balkan connections on record