Athletic Club
City: Bilbao
Colors:
Stadium: San Mamés
Last season: 11th 51p
Captain: Iker Muniain
Coach: Gaizka Garitano
Nicknames: Los Leones

Shirt: HOME

It's inspired by an installation inside the Athletic Club Museum where the names of all the club’s official members throughout its history are written on a wall. The fans’ names are represented by a graphic pattern on the red stripes.

It's a really cool design and shirt from Athletic, the only way it would have been even better (in my opinion) is if they had actually added the names onto the shirt like Alavés did 10 years ago.

Fun fact: Alavés current captain Manu García's name is on that shirt

Shirt: AWAY

The path Athletic players take from the Lezama academy to the first team is the inspiration behind this kit. The grey shirt has red stripes which travel from the hem up to the collar, representing the journey our youngsters take to get to the first team squad.

Last season review:

LaLiga: 11th 51p
Copa del Rey: In the final (TBD)

Athletic started last season very positively but couldn't keep it up. They especially had a hard time in front of goal and ended the season in really poor form missing out on Europe again.

The biggest success for Athletic last season came in Copa del Rey, which historically is their tournament. Only Barcelona have won it more times than Athletic (23 times).

But despite the fact that they've been in three finals in the last 10 years they haven't won it since 1984

All of those finals have been against FC Barcelona, and losing 4-1, 3-0 and 3-1.. Athletic haven't even been close.

This time however the final will be against their basque brothers Real Sociedad and the possibility of winning their first copa since 84 have created excitement

While other teams celebrate winning titles by going on a open-top bus ride through the city. Athletic Club historically have done it by going on a open-top boat ride through the city. On La Gabarra.

It's been some time since they did celebrate titles, and La Gabarra has been out of the water since 2013.

But with Athletic reaching a cup-final that they could win, dreams of future celebrations has returned to Bilbao and Athletic are paying 200,000 euros to restore La Gabarra

Exactly when the historic, first time ever all basque, Copa del Rey final between Athletic and Real Sociedad will be played is yet to be decided, possible date is 4th April 2021. Since the two clubs decided they don't want to play in an empty stadium, but with their fans present

Most significant loss:

Aritz Aduriz

He was denied the perfect farewell which the cup final could have been, as the corona pandemic stopped football, and his hip said enough.

At 39 Aduriz has sadly retired, not even he could play forever. https://twitter.com/i/status/902545681604325377

Though Aduriz wasn't on the same level as before during his last season.. It's no doubt that it is an icon and legend that's left the Athletic squad.

It's heartbreaking that he did not get his goodbye in front of the fans, but it was still beautiful

Aduriz scored the very first goal of the LaLiga season 2019/20... it was also his very last goal, and it was perhaps the most beautiful he has ever scored.

Signings:

More than B-team players getting some first team action, and players on loan returning. Athletic haven't done any signings.

However it looks like Javi Martinez might be on his way back, reportedly willing to reduce his salary for a move back to San Mamés

The coach: Gaizka Garitano

Thread on Garitano's player and coaching career https://twitter.com/AlexandraJonson/status/1159076048249774080?s=20

Garitano was Athletic’s savior when he arrived during the 2018-19 season, guiding them out of a relegation battle and almost into Europe

So the expectations were huge ahead of last season, and even though it started well.. overall it became a disappointing season for Athletic

With Athletic having missed Europe two season's in a row, and ending last season with a really bad run there is a bit of pressure on Garitano.. who more than anything will have to figure out the goalscoring problem.

Key players:

Iker Muniain

There is only one thing that matters for Athletic next season and that's to reach Europe. For that to happen it will be vital for them that their captain perform on his highest level. Because when he does that, you know things will happen.

Also feel like it need to be highlighted that Iker Muniain is doing his absolute best to get rid of that Bart Simpson comparison.

Iñaki Williams

Even though Iñaki Williams is a lot more than just goals, 6 goals in 38 LaLiga matches last season just isn't enough.

He has the potential to be one of the best players in the league and Athletic will need him to take it to that next level soon.

Unai López

Athletic are a different team with Unai López, he is their creative player and offers things no one else in the team do. And this is the time for him to become one of the biggest key players in the team.

Of all football museums that I've been to, and they are quite a few, the best of them all is Athletic clubs'.

There is so much history on display and it's so well done. Interactive, stylish, informative.

I spent three hours there, and could have stayed longer.

A small taste from one of the many brilliant parts of that museum:

There are many things that are quite special and unique with Athletic Club and one of them is that five of their players have decided to sign contracts with the club that does not include a release clause. https://twitter.com/AthleticClub/status/1296483573332094981?s=20

Captain Iker Muniain was the first one in LaLiga to sign a contract without a release clause when he renewed his contract with Athletic in 2018.

He explained it saying "I didn’t want a release clause because I do not want to have a price or be for sale"

Ibai Gómez, Mikel Balenziaga, Oscar De Marcos and Unai Simón has since followed.

Unai Simón signing his this August. The 23-year-old goalkeeper quickly turning into one of the best in the league and expected to be competing to be the 1st choice for Spain soon.

So isn't it mandatory with a release clause in LaLiga you might wonder?

The answer to that is no. However these five Athletic players are the only ones in the league who don't have one.

With the reason for it simply being to show their loyalty towards the club.

Not having a release clause does not mean a player can never leave.

Another club can technically still sign a player without one but in order to do it they will have to go through a Spanish judge, and it's not really the easiest process.

Athletic Club pre-season:

Logroñés v. @AthleticClub 3-1 (Muniain)
@AthleticClub v. Alavés 2-1 (Muniain, Morcillo)
Real Oviedo v. @AthleticClub 2-2 (Zárraga, Villlibre)
@AthleticClub v. Eibar 2-2 (Raúl García, Morcillo)