Athletic Club’s Training and Player Updates Amidst Upcoming Matches

omidbasir- Athletic Club is taking a break this Tuesday. The team will resume training on Wednesday before enjoying a weekend off.

This week, Nico has specific tasks for his recovery. Excluded from Spain’s squad and missing the friendly match against Palestine, he will intensify his rehabilitation work following his goal in the victory against Oviedo. Nico is currently managing pubalgia, which involves intermittent pain. The medical and technical staff will also grant him some rest alongside his teammates during this competitive break. The treatment plan, which was initially postponed in the summer, aims to stabilize his condition and avoid surgery, which would only be considered if his symptoms worsen or persist.

Coach Valverde is aware that Nico will not be at full capacity in the upcoming weeks, necessitating careful management of his playing time. He may be rested for several matches, particularly those with consecutive fixtures, as the international player is not yet prepared to participate in more than one match per week without complications. Nico requested a substitution during the match against Oviedo, prompting the coaching staff to take appropriate measures.

Upon returning to competitive action, Athletic Club will face three away matches: two in the league against Barcelona and Levante, and a Champions League match against Slavia Prague. Nico is expected to miss all three, and efforts are being made to refine his availability for these games. Last weekend, Valverde made the decision to field Nico against Oviedo due to the match’s significance; however, it appears he will sit out the clash against Barcelona to focus on the game in Prague. The team must secure a victory against Slavia to maintain a chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Slavia Prague currently sits below Athletic in the standings (with the Czech team earning 2 points against the Lions’ 3). Valverde’s side needs to perform well to prepare for matches against PSG, Atalanta, and Sporting Portugal. A win in Prague would significantly enhance their prospects of reaching the final matchday with a chance to accumulate the 10 to 12 points likely required for advancement.