Bilbao Athletic wrestle with left-back issue amid injuries and loans | OneFootball

Athletic are seeking a long-term successor to Yuri Berchiche at left-back. In the B team, injuries and Jokin Aranbarri’s tactical tweaks have meant five players have tried the role without nailing it down.

Their latest outing at Lezama ended 0-0 against Mérida. As reported by as.com, a warm-up injury to Johaneko forced Iker Aldai, a centre-back or right-back on loan from Eibar, to plug the gap on the left.

Miguel Barandalla was initially the main candidate and has featured in 19 matches overall, but he was carrying a knock against Mérida. Johaneko, formerly of Girondins and Lugo, has been hampered by injuries. Eghosa Nomayo stepped up from CD Basconia for three games before being sold to Conquense in January.

Eneko Ebro, loaned to Cartagena in January, also logged minutes on the left in matchday two at Talavera. Elsewhere the reserves are thriving, supplying Valverde’s side with Selton, Monreal and Eder García, while Ibon Sánchez and Hierro have made Champions League debuts.

Bilbao Athletic remain genuine promotion play-off contenders. Gift, emerging as a left winger, missed two clear chances on the run against the Mérida goalkeeper that might have settled the contest. Injuries to Huestamendia and Beñat García Goñi are a further disruption.

Source: as.com