Introduction

The football world is often driven by money, transfers, and the endless search for new superstars. At most clubs, success is built by buying the best players from all corners of the globe. However, there is one club on the map of Spain that has been going down a completely different path for over a century.

That club is Athletic Club from Bilbao.

A club that has remained faithful to its unique philosophy. A club that decided to be different from the rest.

For decades, Athletic has based its squad almost entirely on players born or raised in the Basque Country. In an era of globalization, multi-million transfers, and international squads, this is something absolutely extraordinary. And yet, this idea has survived and continues to be the foundation of the club's identity.

For many fans, Athletic is more than just a football team. It is a symbol of pride, tradition, and devotion to their roots. The San Mamés stadium is not just a matchday venue, it is the heartbeat of Basque football.

Because in Bilbao, football has never been just a game.

It is tradition. It is identity. It is a way of life.

And above all, it is the story of a club that decided to be different from the rest.

Transfers

The summer transfer window in Bilbao, as always, follows its own rules. The club's unique philosophy means our maneuvering room in the market is severely limited, but at the same time, every single signing carries immense weight. At Athletic Club, it is never about quantity, it is about quality and alignment with our Basque identity.

This window, two players have joined the squad.

The first is right-back Jesus Areso, who arrives from Osasuna for a fee of 12 million euros. He is a player well-known to Spanish football fans, dynamic, aggressive in the tackle, and highly active going forward. He comes in to reinforce the right side of our defense and increase competition for that starting spot.

The second, and highly sentimental signing, is the return of Aymeric Laporte. The Athletic academy graduate returns to Bilbao after years spent playing in Asia, with the club buying him back from his previous team for 10 million euros. For many fans, this is more than just a standard transfer, it is the homecoming of one of our own, who is set to become the pillar of our defense once again.

In terms of departures, the club said goodbye to only one player. Inigo Lekue has left the team, moving to a club in the Middle East for a fee of 1.5 million euros.

While the transfer business was not extensive, big revolutions are never the way in Bilbao. Here, the priority is always about strengthening the squad in a calculated manner that respects the club's philosophy.

Squad

August and September: The Start of the Season

We kicked off our pre-season preparations with a series of friendlies. During this warm-up period, Athletic Club faced several opponents, including Barakaldo, Fulham, and Monaco.

The results in these friendlies were not the main priority. Our primary focus was on implementing the right tactical setup, building team cohesion, and testing different formation variants. The main goal of pre-season was to fully prepare the squad for what promised to be a very demanding start to the league campaign.

And demanding it certainly was. Right out of the gate in La Liga, we faced fixtures against the league top sides: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and Valencia.

The fixture list was unforgiving, but despite that, the team showed great character. In our opening four matches, we managed to secure two highly valuable victories, defeating Atletico Madrid and Valencia, which gave us a fantastic launchpad for our league campaign.

We started our UEFA Champions League campaign in equally impressive fashion. In our first match of the league phase, we went head-to-head with Sturm Graz and stormed to a convincing 5-0 victory. It was a powerful statement that this Bilbao side can make some serious noise on the European stage this season.

The start of the season has proven one thing, despite a brutal schedule, Athletic is more than capable of competing with the very best.

October and December: An Inconsistent but Effective Autumn

The following months of the season brought Athletic Club fans a true emotional rollercoaster. The team proved capable of playing brilliant football and dominating opponents, yet we also suffered a few unexpected slip-ups along the way.

In La Liga, however, we managed to maintain quite a solid run of form. Along the way, we secured a victory against Real Betis, among others, and the fans at the San Mamés Stadium were treated to some real attacking masterclasses. One of them was a resounding 5-0 win over Villarreal. Even more chaotic was the clash against Girona, which ended in a jaw-dropping 8-3 victory for us.

Unfortunately, the team also displayed a less stable side. We slumped to unexpected defeats against theoretically weaker opponents like Rayo Vallecano and Getafe. These results served as a harsh reminder that there are no easy matches in the Spanish top flight.

The competition in the UEFA Champions League proved to be even more challenging. In Europe, we crossed swords with highly demanding opponents, ultimately having to concede defeat against Olympiacos, Benfica, and Marseille.

Yet, there were still plenty of positives to take away. At home, we managed to fight hard for a highly valuable draw against Manchester City, proving once again that we can go toe-to-toe with Europe's elite. On top of that, we added a victory against Monaco to our tally, keeping our hopes alive for a strong finish in the European campaign.

All in all, autumn was a period packed with drama, from spectacular, high-scoring victories to painful defeats. One thing remained certain, though: the squad fought in every single fixture and showed that this season, they are still more than capable of springing a few surprises.

January and February: Fighting on Multiple Fronts

The new year kicked off at a relentless pace for Athletic Club. With the squad competing across several tournaments simultaneously, the fans were treated to yet another stretch of high-stakes drama.

Our first major test came in the Spanish Super Cup. In the semi-final, we crossed paths with Atletico Madrid and put in a stellar performance to secure a 2-1 win, locking in our place in the final. Waiting for us there were our long-standing rivals from Catalonia, Barcelona.

The final was an incredibly tight affair, ending in a 1-1 draw after extra time. With nothing to separate the sides, the trophy had to be decided by a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Barcelona held their nerve better from the spot, leaving us to settle for the runners-up spot.

Parallel to this, we began our run in the Spanish Cup. We started with three consecutive 2-1 victories, brushing aside Cadiz, Cartagena, and Cordoba. In the first leg of the semi-final, we faced Rayo Vallecano in a match that turned into an absolute goal-fest, storming to a staggering 8-4 victory and taking a massive step toward the final.

There was no shortage of drama in La Liga either. One of the absolute highlights was a sensational 2-1 triumph over Barcelona at San Mames, a source of immense pride for our fans. On the flip side, we also suffered a massive disappointment, a painful 2-6 heavy defeat at the hands of Valencia.

Meanwhile, things were going incredibly well in the UEFA Champions League. In the final matches of the league phase, we managed to take down two German powerhouses, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. Thanks to these crucial wins, we finished the league phase in 10th place, advancing to the knockout rounds.

There, we drew a true giant of European football, Bayern Munich. The first leg ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, leaving the tie wide open. The return leg at San Mames turned into an instant classic. After an absolute thriller of a match, we edged it 4-3, sending the stadium into euphoria and celebrating a monumental qualification to the next round of the Champions League.

The start of the year proved beyond doubt that this Athletic side can compete at the highest level, both domestically and on the grandest European stages.

March and May: The Decisive Months of the Season

The business end of the season was a true test of character for Athletic Club. The squad was still fighting on multiple fronts, but with each passing week, it became evident that the grueling campaign was beginning to take its toll on the players.

In the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, we crossed paths with Newcastle United. The first leg at the San Mamés Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie wide open. We played the second leg in England full of hope, but after a fiercely contested match, we fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat and had to say goodbye to our European run.

The Copa del Rey semi-final second leg also brought plenty of drama. Despite our heavy victory over Rayo Vallecano in the first leg, the return fixture proved to be a massive struggle. Our opponents piled on the pressure throughout the entire match, relentlessly attacking our goal. In the end, we suffered a 3-0 defeat, but fortunately, it was not enough for them to force extra time, allowing us to celebrate booking our place in the final.

Waiting for us in the showpiece match was Real Betis. The first half was an incredibly tight, cagey affair, but right on the stroke of halftime, in the 45th minute, Marc Roca scored a goal to give Betis the lead just before the whistle.

The second half followed a similar pattern, both sides fought fiercely for every inch of grass, and for the longest time, it looked as though the scoreline would not change. Everything turned upside down in the dying embers of the match. In the 90th minute, our substitute Robert Navarro stepped onto the pitch and pulled off the unthinkable, netting two quick-fire goals to completely turn the game on its head. Thanks to his heroics, Athletic clinched the trophy and lifted the Copa del Rey!

In La Liga, the exhaustion of a long and demanding season became quite apparent. The team form was inconsistent, trading crucial wins with frustrating draws and slip-ups. Nevertheless, through sheer grit and determination, we managed to secure a highly respectable 5th place finish in the league table, which can be considered a very solid outcome.

The campaign concluded with a bittersweet mix of emotions, while our European adventure came to an end, lifting the Copa del Rey and finishing among the league elite gave the fans in Bilbao plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Lezama: The Future of Athletic

For decades, the world-renowned Lezama academy has stood as one of the ultimate foundations of Athletic Club. It is the very place where successive generations of players are nurtured, destined to reinforce the first team in the future and uphold the unique philosophy of the Bilbao club.

This season, our youth prospects proved that the club's future is in incredibly safe hands. The Division de Honor Juvenil side took their league group by storm, finishing in 1st place with a staggering 85 points, which comfortably secured their spot in the championship play-offs.

In the quarter-finals, the Young Lions dispatched Real Betis over two legs before getting the better of Valencia in the semi-finals. In the grand final, they squared off against Celta Vigo and left their opponents with absolutely no illusions, cruising to a resounding 5-1 victory to lift the national title.

Our youth setup also enjoyed a strong run in the Copa del Rey Juvenil, where the young Athletic side brushed aside Real Zaragoza with a 2-0 win.

Furthermore, our academy made a real statement on the continental stage in the UEFA Youth League. After an impressive league phase, the team finished 2nd in the table to secure knockout qualification. In the Round of 16, the young Basques knocked out Hamburger SV, with their European adventure finally coming to a halt in the quarter-finals following a hard-fought 2-4 defeat against FC Barcelona.

The performances of our youth ranks prove one thing, Lezama continuously shapes players who are fully capable of becoming the driving force behind the Athletic Club first team in the years to come.

A special mention must also go to this year's Youth Intake at Lezama. The club has welcomed several highly promising newgens who are already displaying immense potential and could very well be knocking on the first-team door in the near future.

• Alvaro Roman
• Enrique Agirre
• Mikel Alcalde
• Alberto Sanchez
• Ibon Arrieta
• David Aketxe
• Josu Fernandez
• Ander Ayensa
• Cesar Arambarri
• Ignacio Alba
• Pedro Maria Murúa

Season Summary

My first season at the helm of Athletic Club was an emotional rollercoaster, filled with incredible highs and challenging moments. From the very opening whistle, the squad had to go toe-to-toe with elite opposition in both La Liga and European competitions.

Finishing 5th in the league is a highly respectable achievement, especially when taking into account how long and grueling the campaign turned out to be. The team proved it could take down the biggest giants, even if we suffered a few unexpected slip-ups along the way.

Without a doubt, the pinnacle of our season was lifting the Copa del Rey after that dramatic final against Real Betis. This silverware stands as the ultimate reward for the squad's immense work rate and brought pure euphoria to the fans at the San Mamés Stadium.

We can also hold our heads high regarding our performance in the UEFA Champions League. After battling through a demanding league phase, we secured qualification to the knockouts, and our aggregate triumph over Bayern Munich will easily go down as one of the most memorable milestones of the season. Although our European run was cut short by Newcastle United, reaching this stage remains a massive success.

Furthermore, the Lezama academy gives us immense reason to be proud. The youth sides achieved stellar results, proving beyond doubt that the club future looks incredibly bright.

This season has demonstrated that the Athletic philosophy still works. The club from Bilbao remains perfectly capable of competing with the biggest powerhouses in Spain and Europe, all while staying fiercely loyal to its core principles.

And this is only the beginning of the story.

Introduction

The previous campaign was full of emotions, dramatic twists, and moments that will live long in the memory of the Bilbao fans. Although we did not reach the absolute summit in La Liga, the squad showed immense character and consistency, finishing the campaign in a very solid 5th place.

However, the real magic happened in the domestic cup. In the Spanish Cup, Athletic proved once again that this team is built for the big occasions. Hard work, determination, and footballing quality carried the squad all the way to the top, bringing home the highly coveted trophy.

This is the story of a team that, despite all obstacles, managed to rise up and finish the campaign with their heads held high — and with silverware in their hands.

Transfers

The summer transfer window was exceptionally quiet for Athletic Club, as not a single new player joined the squad. The club decided to focus on stability and put full trust in the existing roster.

The winter window, however, saw much more activity. Our main priority was to reinforce the attacking line, and we came incredibly close to signing Ander Barrenetxea from Real Sociedad. Although both clubs managed to reach a full financial agreement, the player ultimately rejected the move, refusing to cross the divide and join his current team's biggest rival.

The campaign also saw one major departure. Looking for a fresh challenge, veteran defender Yeray Alvarez left the club to join Girona FC for a fee of 12 million euros. Given his immense experience and long-standing role in the squad, his departure was a significant loss for our defensive line.

Squad

July – September

Our pre-season preparations kicked off with a series of friendlies, allowing the squad to find their match rhythm. We faced a diverse lineup of opponents, including Fenerbahce, Maritimo, Amorebieta, Porto, and Lazio. It was a crucial period for testing tactical variants and building fitness ahead of the competitive matches.

The start of the La Liga campaign looked highly promising. Athletic opened the year with back-to-back victories over Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano. The following fixtures continued to bring positive results, including a narrow but vital win against Valencia, alongside hard-fought draws against demanding opponents in Real Sociedad and Barcelona.

However, the team did not escape a major slip-up. At our own San Mames stadium, Athletic suffered an unexpected 2-4 defeat at the hands of Sporting Gijon, which served as a harsh reality check after such a strong start.

Parallel to this, the squad competed in the UEFA Europa League. In our opening fixtures against Midtjylland and Juventus, Athletic recorded two draws, proving our ability to compete at the European level, even if we lacked the clinical edge to turn those performances into victories.

October – December

The autumn stretch brought plenty of drama and several standout moments for Athletic Club. In La Liga, the highlight was a brilliant 2-0 win over Real Madrid at San Mames, which was one of our best performances of the period. A hard-fought draw away at Atletico Madrid was also a result to be proud of.

However, there were moments of frustration. The team dropped points in matches that could have been won, such as draws against Leganes and Alaves. The defeat at home to Getafe was particularly disappointing and stood out as one of our biggest stumbles of the season.

In the UEFA Europa League, the team performed solidly, albeit inconsistently. On the positive side, we secured valuable victories against CFR Cluj and Feyenoord, which moved us closer to qualifying from the group. A dark spot on this run, however, was a heavy 0-4 defeat to Galatasaray, which highlighted that the team still lacks stability on the European stage.

January – February

The new year kicked off for Athletic Club with a campaign in the Spanish Super Cup. In the semi-final, we faced Real Betis and completely dominated the match, securing an impressive 5-1 victory to book our place in the final.

In the showpiece match, Athletic went head-to-head with Barcelona. The score remained level after 90 minutes, and extra time could not separate the sides either. The trophy had to be decided by a penalty shootout, where unfortunately our opponents held their nerve better, resulting in a 2-4 defeat that prevented the silverware from coming to Bilbao.

As the defending champions, we also launched our campaign in the Spanish Cup. We comfortably moved past Sant Andreu in the third round and eliminated Albacete in the following stage. Unfortunately, Getafe crossed our path once again in the quarter-finals, and this time they got the better of us with a 2-1 win, ending our hopes of retaining the title.

In the UEFA Europa League, the squad secured qualification to the next stage after a draw against Sparta Prague and a victory over AEK Athens. Finishing 15th in the league phase table was enough to progress. In the subsequent knockout round, we drew RB Salzburg and advanced with a highly convincing 5-2 aggregate triumph.

La Liga also provided plenty of drama. On the positive side, we celebrated a fantastic victory in the Basque Derby against Real Sociedad alongside a strong win over Valencia. On the flip side, we suffered a couple of painful setbacks, including a 0-2 defeat against Rayo Vallecano and a very heavy, humbling loss against Barcelona, which marked one of the toughest moments of our campaign.

March – May

The decisive phase of the campaign began with the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, where we crossed paths with Fiorentina. The first leg at San Mames ended in a confident 3-1 victory, which raised our hopes significantly ahead of the return fixture.

Unfortunately, the away leg followed a completely different script. Our Italian opponents pushed forward from the opening whistle and fully deserved their 4-1 victory, knocking Athletic out of the tournament. It was a painful exit, especially considering our advantage after the first match.

However, the squad showed immense character in La Liga. Athletic hit a brilliant vein of form and went on an unbeaten run that allowed us to climb back into the race for the top spots. The team secured consecutive victories against Sevilla, Elche, and Leganes, alongside an impressive win over Real Betis.

While that streak was eventually snapped by a narrow 2-3 defeat against Real Madrid, the final stretch belonged to Athletic once again. The team remained undefeated in the final three matches of the year, finishing the campaign on a very high note.

This fantastic run of form in the crucial months propelled Athletic into 4th place in the league table, securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League for the upcoming season. This is a massive achievement and clear proof that the squad has taken a major step forward.

Lezama: The Future of Athletic

The world-renowned Lezama academy proved once again that it remains the beating heart of Athletic Club and the ultimate foundation of its future.

Our youth prospects launched their campaign in the U19 Spanish Cup from the very first round, facing Las Palmas U19. The match ended in a hard-fought 2-1 victory. In the following round, the team crossed paths with Malaga U19. After a tight 2-2 draw, the tie had to be decided by a penalty shootout, where our opponents unfortunately held their nerve better, resulting in an early exit from the tournament.

However, the league campaign followed a completely different storyline. In the Division de Honor Juvenil, the young Lions absolute dominated their regional group, finishing in 1st place and comfortably securing their spot in the national championship play-offs.

There, they put their immense potential on full display. They convincingly knocked out Las Palmas U19 and Villarreal U19 before squaring off against Espanyol U19 in the grand final. The decisive match ended in a glorious victory, meaning our academy successfully defended its national title!

Yet, the triumphs did not stop there. In the UEFA Youth League, the young Athletic side went all the way to secure the ultimate continental glory, defeating Olympique Lyonnais U19 with a confident 3-1 victory in the final. This monumental achievement is clear proof that the club's future looks incredibly bright.

To top it all off, the latest youth intake has welcomed another wave of highly promising talents into the academy, all determined to break through and become the driving force behind the first team in the years to come.

• Mikel Zabaleta
• Aitor Núñez
• Iñaki Sola
• Àlex Herrero
• Òscar Antón
• Jonathan Adot
• Beñat Pascual
• Eduardo Goñi
• Àlvaro Fernández
• Jorge Salinas
• Javier Galdeano

Season Summary

The campaign was packed with drama, unforgettable highlights, and moments that will stay with our fans for a very long time. The squad proved its ability to go toe-to-toe with elite opposition both domestically and continentally, while the Lezama academy demonstrated that the future of this club rests in incredibly safe hands.

In La Liga, Athletic concluded the year in 4th place, successfully locking in a spot for the UEFA Champions League next season. The team impressed with a brilliant unbeaten run, securing massive victories over Real Madrid, Sevilla, and a memorable triumph in the Basque Derby, alongside confident wins against Valencia and Betis. On the other hand, heavy setbacks like the 0-2 loss to Rayo and the humbling defeat against Barcelona showed that there is still room for improvement, especially when facing our biggest rivals.

Unfortunately, we could not replicate that level of success in the other cup competitions. Losing the Super Cup final on penalties to Barcelona and crashing out of the Europa League after a disappointing second leg against Fiorentina stood out as the bitterest moments of the year.

Meanwhile, our youth ranks at Lezama enjoyed an equally historic campaign. Winning the Division de Honor Juvenil to successfully defend their national title, combined with lifting the UEFA Youth League trophy after defeating Lyon U19 in the final, proved that the academy continuously develops top-tier talents ready to step up to the first team.

Key Performers of the Season:

Top Goalscorer & Star Player: Inaki Williams (24 goals)

Young Player of the Season: Nico Williams

Surprise of the Season: Unai Gomez

The campaign put the immense strength, character, and potential of Athletic Club on full display. Ending the year in top form with Champions League qualification sets up what promises to be an incredibly exciting next season. Bilbao can be immensely proud of both the first team and an academy that never stops shaping future stars.