A long-awaited friendly for the lionesses

Eight weeks have passed since Athletic Club Women began their pre-season preparations, in that time the lionesses have had 80 training sessions. And all of that without playing a single friendly match until now. After two failed attempts against EDF Logroño and Atlético Madrid, coach Ángel Villacampa will finally be able to put his players through their paces in a proper competitive match, as they take on Deportivo Alavés on Wednesday evening at 18:30 (CET).

The rival, Deportivo Alavés, currently compete in the Reto Iberdrola (North Division) and in 2019-20 they were serious candidates for promotion before SD Eibar took the top spot. Before the pandemic, Alavés were fifth in the Reto Iberdrola, equal on points with fourth-placed Osasuna. The visiting outfit also contains a familiar face, as Athletic Club striker Leia Zarate is currently on loan at the Vitoria-based side. Additionally, the side managed by Mikel Crespo will also face Athletic Women’s reserves, managed by Iraia Iturregi, on Saturday 19 at 12:30PM in Lezama.

Despite having played three times against the Iturregi’s reserve side, this evening fixture will present a completely different challenge for the women’s first team. The match kicks off in Basarte (Amurrio) at 18:30 and will take place behind closed doors. The match will be broadcast live via our official Youtube channel.

A lot of youngsters in the squad

Ángel Villacampa’s squad for the match will be reinforced by all the youth prospects who have been training with the first team recently. In terms of absences, the boss is missing Lucía García and Ainhoa Moraza who are on international duty with the Spain squad. A number of players are also injured and have not made the squad, including: Nekane Díez, Garazi Murua, Marta Unzué, Amaia Peña and Yulema Corres. Furthermore, forward Ane Azkona is still recovering from surgery in July on a ruptured cruciate ligament.

The reserves players called up to the squad are Paula Arana, Mariana Cerro, Alejandra Estefanía, Leyre Monente, Naroa Uriarte, Bibiane Schulze, Nerea Nevado and Ane Elexpuru. The rest of the match day squad is as follows: Andrea Sierra, Andrea de la Nava, Andere Leguina, Oihane Valdezate, María Díaz, Jone Ibáñez, Oihane Hernández, Eunate Arraiza, Sophie Istillart, Marta Perea, Erika Vázquez and Vanesa Gimbert.