Dani Vivian Returns to Athletic's Squad After Six-Game Absence
Athletic Club welcome back centre-back Dani Vivian for Friday's home clash with Elche, but their injury list remains alarmingly long.
Good news and bad news from Bilbao this week — Dani Vivian is back, but Athletic’s treatment room is still absolutely rammed ahead of Friday’s San Mamés clash with Elche.
Vivian’s Return — Finally
The Vitoria-born centre-back has been out for six matches with an adductor muscle overload, and his absence has been properly felt by Ernesto Valverde. With defensive options running thin, the gaffer has had to dip into the B team to fill out his starting elevens — and by all accounts, young Iker Monreal has taken that opportunity with both hands.
Monreal isn’t just making up the numbers, either. He’s been good enough that Valverde is keeping him in the first-team setup regardless of Vivian’s return. That’s a decent little subplot to keep an eye on as the season ticks along.
The Injury Situation Is Still A Nightmare
Look, one man coming back doesn’t paper over the cracks when your physio room looks like a busy A&E on a Saturday night. Here’s where Athletic currently stand on the injury front:
- Sannadi — out
- Prados — out
- Egiluz — out
- Berenguer — out
- Nico Williams — missed the Tartiere trip, still absent
- Mikel Jauregizar — the Bermeo midfielder picked up a problem at the Tartiere too; it’s not as serious as it first looked, but he still needs time to recover and won’t make Friday
That’s a hefty list for any manager to deal with, let alone one navigating what’s shaping up to be a crucial run of fixtures.
One to Watch — Eder García
One name worth flagging is Eder García, the Rentería-born forward who’s back in the squad after barely getting a look-in in the league since December’s match against Real Madrid. He’s featured on the bench in cup ties against Real Sociedad and Valencia, but he’s yet to make his Primera División debut.
Friday against Elche might just be the moment Valverde gives him a run out. With the squad stretched and a home game against a side fighting for survival, it feels like as good a chance as any for the youngster to get his first taste of top-flight football.
The Bottom Line
Vivian coming back is genuinely important — he’s a proper first-choice centre-back and Athletic have missed his presence. But Valverde won’t be getting too carried away. The squad depth is being tested week in, week out, and with Nico Williams still sidelined, the Lions aren’t exactly at full pelt right now.
Friday’s game at San Mamés kicks off what should be an interesting few weeks for a club juggling injuries, emerging youngsters, and the pressure of competing on multiple fronts.