Early Setback and Defensive Struggles
Athletic Club began their La Liga season with a 3-1 defeat against Sevilla at San Mamés. The match saw an early challenge for Athletic when defender Yuri Berchiche received a red card just 11 minutes into the game. This left the team playing with ten men for the majority of the match, making it difficult to contain Sevilla’s offense.
Individual errors contributed to Athletic’s defensive issues. Unai Simón‘s concentration lapse led to Sevilla’s opening goal, while Aitor Paredes conceded a goal, and Jesus Areso‘s backheel resulted in the third goal for Sevilla. These defensive frailties led to Athletic equaling a negative defensive milestone from the previous season.
Last season, Athletic had only conceded three goals at home on one occasion, during a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid. However, in this opening match, Sevilla managed to score three times against Simón, with goals from Oso, Chidera Ejuke, and Isaac Romero.
Sevilla’s Strong Start and Ejuke’s Contribution
Sevilla, on the other hand, started their campaign strongly, securing back-to-back victories and maintaining a perfect start to the new La Liga season. Chidera Ejuke, a Super Eagles winger, marked his return to the Sevilla lineup by scoring his first goal of the season. Ejuke came off the bench to score Sevilla’s second goal, contributing to their 3-1 win.
Ejuke’s goal was significant, especially after a period of uncertainty regarding his future during pre-season. He had trained separately from the squad and was left out of Sevilla’s training camp in the Netherlands as the club explored a potential departure. However, his recent performances have provided him with a new opportunity under manager Luis García Plaza.
Following the match, Ejuke expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We’re happy with the game. Six points in two games and a good team spirit. We’re already thinking about the next one.” He also emphasized his commitment to being available and contributing to the team whenever given the chance. “I always try to be available to help the team in any way I can,” he added.
The Nigerian winger reiterated his focus on helping Sevilla, regardless of his role within the team. He highlighted the importance of his contribution to the team’s goals and his determination to remain prepared for opportunities. Ejuke’s goal could be a turning point for him after a challenging summer.
Looking Ahead for Athletic Club
The opening-day collapse for Athletic Club highlights defensive vulnerabilities that were also present in the 2025-26 season, where they conceded 58 goals, marking the fifth-worst defensive record in the division. While Aitor Paredes managed to score a goal for Athletic in the second half, it was not enough to change the outcome.
Manager Edin Terzic faces the urgent task of addressing these structural defensive issues to restore the team’s resilience. The team had previously shown strong defensive form, with Simón winning the Zamora Trophy in 2023-24 and the team conceding the fewest goals in 2024-25.
Athletic Club’s next challenge is a trip to face Barcelona on Thursday. Barcelona enters this fixture with confidence, having defeated Elche 5-0 in their opener. Barcelona’s attack, featuring players like Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Dani Olmo, averaged 2.5 goals per game last term. With Athletic having managed only a few clean sheets last season, their upcoming match against Barcelona presents a significant test.
Source: goal.com
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