Terzic raises pre-season intensity as Athletic face Sestao River and Eibar | OneFootball

Athletic begin their third pre-season week under Terzic with a clear increase in intensity, scheduling friendlies against Sestao River and Eibar.

As reported by as.com, after 0-3 and 0-11 wins over Derio and Leioa, Athletic visit Sestao River on Wednesday at Las Llanas at 19:30, then face Eibar on Saturday in Zamudio at 19:00. Sestao play in Segunda Federación and Eibar in Segunda.

The fixtures are designed to build fitness and embed the German coach’s new patterns. Chief among them is tucking one full-back into the build-up as a wing-back, leaving a back three and a square ahead, with two wingers and a centre-forward.

The Menden-born manager has been satisfied with the team’s evolution, while noting these friendlies offer limited conclusions. Even so, individual form has stood out, with Navarro scoring twice in each game and Djaló lively in attack.

Fitness issues remain the main downside, with four players currently sidelined. This week Vivian, muscle, and Sannadi, knee, joined an absentee list that already included Gorosabel and Serrano, both with muscular problems.

The plan also includes four morning sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30, before a rest day on Sunday.

Source: as.com