Athletic Bilbao Cruise to 11-0 Friendly Win as Midfield Duo Rested
Edin Terzic rotates his squad heavily in an 11-0 rout, leaving key midfielders on the bench.
Athletic Bilbao continued their summer preparations with a resounding 11-0 victory over Leioa at Sarriena, but the headline news from the fixture centered on who did not take the pitch. Head coach Edin Terzic travelled to the friendly with a 24-man squad, yet chose to leave key midfielders Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Beñat Prados on the bench for the entirety of the match.
The decision raised eyebrows among supporters, particularly as both players had featured in the club’s midweek pre-season opener against Derio in Portugalete. That initial match, held at La Florida, saw both midfielders get runouts, making their complete absence from the pitch at Sarriena a notable talking point. According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, there is no indication that their omission points to any imminent transfer window activity, but it highlights the evolving tactical landscape under Terzic.
For Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, the night off is understood to be a matter of routine squad management. At 30 years old, the experienced midfielder is being eased into the physical demands of the upcoming campaign. Conversely, the situation surrounding Beñat Prados carries more intrigue. Athletic boasts a highly competitive engine room, with Oihan Sancet, Mikel Vesga, and Unai Gómez all vying for starting roles. How Terzic manages his midfield rotation in the coming weeks will be closely watched by fans looking for clues regarding the squad’s hierarchy.
Despite the missing midfielders, Athletic put on a clinical display. The Basque side dominated from the opening whistle, eventually securing a massive 0-11 victory. The scoring showcase was capped off by young forward Hierro, who entered the squad in place of Maroan and made an immediate impact by scoring the final two goals late in the second half.
Terzic utilized the friendly to experiment heavily, making wholesale changes at the halftime interval. The entire starting lineup was swapped out with a single exception: veteran defender Nacho Monreal. Demonstrating his versatility and fitness, Nacho Monreal played the full 90 minutes, partnering Yeray in the first half before shifting to play alongside Paredes after the break.
The match also provided a platform for squad players Gerenabarrena and Johaneko to make their first appearances of the summer. After sitting out the opener at La Florida, the duo earned their first pre-season minutes by starting in the first-half lineup. Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Simón García was included in the travelling matchday squad but remained an unused substitute.
As Athletic Bilbao progresses through its summer schedule, the focus will remain on how Terzic integrates his squad. Whether Galarreta and Prados return to action in the next fixtures will offer a clearer picture of the manager’s tactical blueprint for the demanding season ahead.
