Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Beñat Prados were omitted from Athletic Bilbao’s 24-man squad for the pre-season friendly against Leioa, a match the Basque side won 11-0 at Sarriena. The pair had both featured in the midweek fixture against Derio at Portugalete, making their exclusion from the matchday party a notable talking point as head coach Edin Terzic rotates his options during the early stages of summer preparations.
The German tactician made sweeping alterations to his starting line-up for the second friendly of the summer. Forward Hierro, who replaced Maroan in the squad, netted twice in the closing stages to complete the emphatic victory. Former Real Madrid defender Nacho Monreal was the only player to complete the full ninety minutes, partnering Yeray in central defence during the first half before switching to play alongside Paredes after the interval.
Rotation and Fresh Faces
Terzic changed his entire starting eleven at half-time, with Monreal the sole exception. Among those introduced were Gerenabarrena and Johaneko, who earned their first minutes of pre-season having sat out the opening fixture at La Florida.
The absence of Galarreta and Prados invites scrutiny given their involvement against Derio earlier in the week. While pre-season scheduling often demands careful load management for senior players, the competition for places in central midfield adds a layer of intrigue to Prados’s situation. With Oihan Sancet, Mikel Vesga and Unai Gómez also vying for roles in the engine room, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the 21-year-old’s standing in the senior set-up.
Goalkeeper Simón García was also named in the travelling party but did not see action.
What Happens Next
Athletic’s remaining pre-season fixtures will offer clarity on whether Galarreta and Prados are swiftly reintegrated or if their omissions signal a shift in Terzic’s plans. The club are yet to indicate any transfer window outcomes for either player, leaving supporters to watch for clues in upcoming team sheets.