Page 43 - Soccer360 Issue 107

Athletic Bilbao, Top:
Athletic Bilbao have managed to stave off interest in Nico Williams this summer
Atletico Madrid Top:
Julian Alvarez will hope to fire Atletico Madrid into contention this season
Barcelona, Top:
Hansi Flick has replaced club legend Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona coach
ATHLETICBILBAO
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 5th place
RECORD: 19-11-8
MOST GOALS: Guruzeta (14)
ATLETICO MADRID
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 4th place
RECORD: 24-4-10
MOST GOALS: Griezmann (16)
BARCELONA
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 2nd place
RECORD: 26-7-5
MOST GOALS: Lewandowski (19)
New boss Hansi Flick will be quietly confident in the battle to haul back Real Madrid after La Blaugrana’s title charge faded late on last season, resulting in
the extraordinary sacking of club legend Xavi Hernandez after he had reversed his decision to step down. Flick has something to prove after his disastrous stint as Germany coach, but is still revered for his achievements at Bayern Munich.
With Real Madrid looking even stronger this time around, it would take a magnificent effort from all involved if Barca are to regain La Liga. Dani Olmo adds another gear to the squad and constant attention will focus on Lamine Yamal, but the real decisive point will be their performances in El Clasico.
KEY PLAYER
Lamine Yamal
Athletic Club’s main summer objective was to hold off Barcelona’s relentless pursuit
of Nico Williams, a mission which they accomplished as his value skyrocketed following his electric performances for Spain throughout Euro 2024. On the pitch, he will be their chief difference maker in what looks set to be a marathon season, with a UEFA Europa League campaign expected to test Ernesto Valverde’s squad. However, these are good times for the Basque club after famously lifting the Copa Del Rey and securing fifth place last term, so they’ll be hopeful of another strong showing on all fronts. The €15m capture of Braga winger Alvaro Djalo is their headline summer signing.
KEY PLAYER
Nico Williams
It has been a dramatic summer of transfer activity in Madrid this summer, including at the Wanda Metropolitana where Diego Simeone has splashed the cash on Julian Alvarez. The long-serving coach will hope that his fellow Argentine will inspire the team to close the gap on Real Madrid and Barcelona, and even potentially compete for the title as well as in Europe.
Euro 2024 winner Robin Le Normand arrives from Real Sociedad to strengthen the defence, while Alvarez is joined in attack by prolific Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth, meaning that this is the most powerful Atletico have looked in years. The eternal top four spot will be no issue for Los Rojiblancos but they need something special from their new man to push the top two.
KEY PLAYER
Julian Alvarez
DID YOU KNOW?
Going 156.9 kilometres by road from his birthplace, Nico Williams began his football career at CD Pamplona at age 8 in 2010. After two years at CD Pamplona, he moved to Osasuna’s Youth Academy
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