Valverde uses 27 in La Liga, his second highest Athletic tally | OneFootball

Ernesto Valverde has used 27 players in La Liga this season, his second highest tally as Athletic coach with 13 rounds remaining. According to El Correo, he prefers compact squads of 23-24 but injuries and the calendar have stretched resources.

Last season he used 31, his most, including Ander Herrera, who played 14 league games before joining Boca Juniors, and Álex Padilla, who covered for the injured Unai Simón and Julen Agirezabala then left on loan to Pumas. Álvaro Djaló, Peio Canales, Nico Serrano, Adu Ares, Aingeru Olabarrieta and Endika Buján also featured, the last two appearing once.

This term only Padilla, centre-back Unai Egiluz and the suspended Yeray Álvarez have yet to feature in the league. Egiluz suffered injury in pre-season against Racing in Muriedas, Cantabria. Yeray tested positive in the Europa League semi-final against Manchester United and cannot return until 4 April.

A heavy injury list and four fronts, La Liga, Champions League, Copa and Supercopa, have opened the door to youngsters. Alejandro Rego has stayed with the first team amid Beñat Prados’s long lay-off and Oihan Sancet’s absences, and already has 17 league outings. Selton Sánchez has five.

Striker Asier Hierro and midfielder Eder García complete the 27 used across 25 matchdays. Yeray and Egiluz are back training with the group and are likely to join that list soon. Maroan, nearing the end of his recovery from a right knee meniscus injury and a participant in the first eight rounds, will also increase the attacking options.

Source: El Correo