CD Derio - Athletic Club

The first friendly of the season served its purpose of getting the players up and running and helping them take on board new tactics.

It was a 0-3 victory secured in the second half, with Álvaro Djaló providing all the assists for Robert Navarro's double and Oihan Sancet's strike. The bad news was Maroan Sannadi's injury.

With the joy of Beñat Prados’ return following a serious knee injury and a debut for young Elijah Gift, Athletic took on a CD Derio side that held their own.

Gift threatened the Derio goalkeeper right from the start and then hit the crossbar with a right-footed shot. He could even have scored with a header, but Velarde denied him. Aitor Paredes also struck the woodwork with a right-footed shot from a set-piece and Yuri Berchiche also threatened the goalkeeper with a left-footed effort.

It was after the break that Athletic broke the deadlock. And they did so quickly, scoring twice in quick succession following two assists from Djaló to Navarro and to Sancet.

Then came the bad news. Maroan injured his left leg whilst attempting an acrobatic shot and getting tangled up in the net. Derio were reduced to ten men and Terzic, to maintain numerical balance, took off Paredes, the only player who had not been substituted after the break.

Djaló was in the thick of the action again in the 80th minute, when he won the ball back and set up Robert Navarro, who skilfully dribbled past the last defender to score his second goal with a low shot.

The friendly ended with the young supporters jostling for photos with the Lions.