The Urgency to Wake Up Before It's Too Late

El Athletic, Stuck in the Nap: The Urgency to Wake Up Before It's Too Late

A Month of Disconnection and Agonizing Comebacks: Attitude, the Unfinished Business of the Bilbao Club in the Final Stretch of the Season

Bilbao. The 2026 season is advancing and Athletic Club finds itself at a worrying crossroads. An alarming pattern has been repeated in recent trips: a first half of the game that leaves much to be desired, followed by a late reaction that, on occasions, has not been enough. The words of Iñaki Williams after the victory in Oviedo, “In the first half you could see a team without a soul. The older ones had to scream four times at half-time to wake everyone up,” resonated like a wake-up call.

Coach Ernesto Valverde, aware of the lack of spark, had already pointed out after the draw in Vallecas that the team needed “a more competitive attitude.” Intensity, a fundamental pillar of the rojiblanco game, seemed to be absent in key moments. Unai Simón, goalkeeper and pillar of the team, was forceful: “If this team does not have intensity, it is in the Second Division. Today was a bit of thinking that at half throttle we could do it.”

However, the lesson seemed not to have stuck. Last Saturday in Girona, history repeated itself, but this time the rival, with positive inertia, took advantage of the initial apathy. If in Oviedo and Vallecas the reaction served to score points, in Montilivi the awakening came late and the result was a resounding victory (3-0). “We threw the first half,” admitted captain Iñaki Williams, a reflection shared by Sancet, who added in the club's official media: “The game was not good and it is a matter of attitude, we have to change it.”

These four trips, marked by an Athletic team that is far from its best version, coincide with a crucial stretch of the season for the League, especially against rivals from the lower-middle zone of the table. Although there were positive streaks, such as the victories against Levante, Oviedo and Elche, the recent harvest of one point out of a possible nine against Rayo, Barcelona and Girona leaves a bittersweet taste.

The picture becomes even more complicated with the final ten days of the championship. The calendar features a series of direct duels against rivals fighting for European places: Getafe, Osasuna, Espanyol and Celta. Added to these are confrontations against teams of the caliber of Betis, Villarreal, Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid. Although the classification still supports Athletic, the current football performance is far from being a guarantee to secure a continental place.

The activation problem at the start of matches has become a worrying constant. The meetings in Tartiere, Vallecas and Montilivi are just the tip of the iceberg. If we extend the analysis to the calendar year 2026, the statistics are even more revealing: of the 17 games played in the different competitions, Athletic has started losing on 12 occasions.

Constantly climbing requires considerable wear and tear, both mentally and physically. It is a burden for a team that, throughout the campaign, has shown episodes of disconnection. However, it is fair to recognize that Athletic has managed to recover in half a dozen of these commitments. Victories in the Cup against León, in the Champions League against Bérgamo and in the League against Oviedo, in addition to draws against Osasuna, Rayo and Real Sociedad in San Mamés, demonstrate the team's ability to react.

The lack of a strong start has been Athletic's great pending issue throughout the entire season. If this dynamic does not change in the final sprint, the team runs the risk of “wandering in no man's land” in the classification, making the final days feel eternal. The red and white dressing room has the obligation to move from words to actions, starting this Sunday against Betis, and avoiding repeating the mistakes of the last trips during the visit to Getafe after the break.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the main problem that Athletic Club has shown in its last games?
  The main problem has been the lack of intensity and a low attitude in the first part of the games, which has led to them starting out losing on numerous occasions.
• Which players have been vocal about the team's lack of attitude?
  Iñaki Williams and Unai Simón have been clear in pointing out the need for greater intensity and a more competitive attitude. Sancet has also mentioned the importance of changing attitude.
• How many games has Athletic started losing in 2026?
  So far in 2026, Athletic has started by losing 12 of the 17 games played in the four competitions.
• What direct rivals will Athletic face in the last ten games of the League?
  They will face Getafe, Osasuna, Espanyol and Celta, in addition to other important duels against Betis, Villarreal, Atlético and Real Madrid.
• Has there been any positive reaction from the team despite the bad starts?
  Yes, the team has managed to react and score points in games such as the victories in the Cup against León, in the Champions League against Bergamo and in the League against Oviedo, as well as draws against Osasuna, Rayo and Real Sociedad.
• What does the phrase “unfinished business” mean in the context of Athletic?
  It refers to the lack of a forceful start in the games, something that the team has not been able to solve throughout the season and that must improve in the final stretch.
• What is the risk if Athletic does not improve its performance?
  The risk is to end the season “wandering in no man's land” in the classification, without clear objectives and making the last days very long.
• What is the next important game for Athletic?
  The next key match is against Betis this Sunday, where a reaction from the team is expected.

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