Athletic Club open La Liga 2024/25 at home against Getafe at San Mamés
Athletic Club kick off the 2024/25 La Liga season on Thursday 15 August with a home fixture against Getafe at San Mamés, with kick-off at 17:00 (GMT+1). The Bilbao Lions, who finished fifth in the league last season and claimed the Copa del Rey title, will be looking to make an immediate statement — but to do so they must first end an uncomfortable run of four consecutive season openers without a win.
Valverde looking to break the opening-day curse
Athletic Club have the honour of hosting the very first match of the new La Liga season at the iconic San Mamés. Head coach Ernesto Valverde, who held onto his position despite five managerial changes elsewhere in the division, faces off against Getafe. The Bilbao club enjoyed a strong campaign last season, finishing fifth in La Liga and lifting the Copa del Rey for the 24th time in the club's history — their first cup triumph since 1984. Ambitions for 2024/25 are equally high, with a place in the European top four firmly in their sights. Nevertheless, there is cause for caution. In each of the four previous opening-day fixtures, Athletic Club failed to win a single point: no victories, two draws and two defeats. That record makes the match against Getafe an immediate test for the side. Fortunately, the home environment provides a significant boost: Athletic are unbeaten in eighteen consecutive league matches at San Mamés, an impressive run that speaks volumes about their confidence on home soil.
Gorosabel and Djaló bolster the squad, question mark over Nico Williams
Athletic Club made focused moves in the transfer market. Defender Andoni Gorosabel joined the squad on a free transfer following his departure from Deportivo Alavés, while left winger Álvaro Djaló was signed from SC Braga for €15 million. With these two additions, Valverde aims to give his squad the necessary depth and breadth heading into the new season. The big question mark remains Nico Williams. The winger, who helped Spain clinch a historic fourth European Championship title, is firmly on FC Barcelona's radar. The expectation is that he will not feature in the starting line-up when Valverde deploys his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation. In that scenario, the attacking line will be led by his brother Iñaki Williams.
Getafe arrive with modest expectations and a poor away record
Opponents Getafe finished last season in twelfth place. Manager José Bordalás will be eager to pick up points in Bilbao despite a quiet summer in the transfer market. The club strengthened their ranks with Peter González, who arrived from Real Madrid for €2 million. However, those incomings are offset by significant departures: top scorer Enes Ünal left for AFC Bournemouth for €17 million, while loanee Mason Greenwood chose not to return — opting instead to join Olympique Marseille on a permanent basis. The historical statistics offer Getafe little encouragement. In their last thirteen away matches in the Basque Country, the club have not recorded a single victory: eight draws and five defeats. In their last ten visits to Athletic Club, Bordalás' side count just one win: a 2-0 victory in February 2020. Fielding what is expected to be a 4-1-4-1 system, the Blue-and-Greys will be hoping to finally reverse that negative trend.
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Source: Sportmonks
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