Athletic Bilbao kicked off their pre-season preparations on a positive note with a convincing 3-0 victory over local rivals Derio in a club friendly played in Spain. After a tightly contested first half that ended goalless, Ernesto Valverde’s side shifted through the gears after the break, scoring three goals in less than 30 minutes to underline the quality gap between the two teams.
The friendly provided valuable minutes for Bilbao’s squad while allowing younger players to impress ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
First Half Ends Goalless Despite Bilbao Dominance
The opening 45 minutes were competitive, with Derio showing discipline and organization against one of Spain’s most respected clubs.
Athletic Bilbao controlled possession and patiently searched for openings, but Derio’s compact defensive setup frustrated the visitors. Despite creating several promising attacks, Bilbao was unable to find the breakthrough before halftime.
The score remained 0-0 at the interval, giving the home side confidence after successfully containing the La Liga outfit.
Ruben Navarro Opens the Floodgates
Bilbao’s persistence finally paid off six minutes after the restart.
In the 51st minute, Ruben Navarro found space inside the penalty area and calmly slotted home to give Athletic Bilbao a deserved lead. The goal immediately changed the tempo of the match as Bilbao gained confidence while Derio struggled to respond.
Oihan Sancet Doubles the Advantage
Only four minutes later, Athletic Bilbao struck again.
Midfield star Oihan Sancet, one of Bilbao’s most influential players in recent seasons, doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a composed finish after another well-worked attacking move.
The quick double effectively ended Derio’s hopes of mounting a comeback and allowed Bilbao to rotate players while maintaining control.
Navarro Completes His Brace
Athletic Bilbao continued to dictate proceedings throughout the second half.
Their dominance was rewarded again in the 80th minute when Ruben Navarro grabbed his second goal of the afternoon, finishing clinically to complete a convincing 3-0 victory.
The brace capped an excellent individual performance and strengthened his case for increased involvement during the upcoming season.
Match Summary
Club Friendly Result
Derio 0-3 Athletic Bilbao
Goals:
- 51′ Rubén Navarro (Athletic Bilbao)
- 55′ Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao)
- 80′ Rubén Navarro (Athletic Bilbao)
Key Takeaways from the Friendly
Athletic Bilbao will be encouraged by several positives from the match:
- Strong defensive display with a clean sheet.
- Effective attacking football after halftime.
- Ruben Navarro impressed with a clinical two-goal performance.
- Oihan Sancet continued to demonstrate his importance in midfield.
- Valuable match fitness gained as preparations for the new season continue.
While the result itself carries little competitive significance, the performance offers encouraging signs for manager Ernesto Valverde as he fine-tunes his squad ahead of another demanding La Liga campaign.
What This Means Ahead of the New Season
Pre-season friendlies are primarily about building fitness, testing tactical systems, and evaluating squad depth. Athletic Bilbao appeared well-organized throughout the encounter, especially in the second half, where their superior quality became evident.
Derio, meanwhile, can take positives from their disciplined first-half display against top-flight opposition, despite eventually being outclassed after the interval.
Bilbao supporters will particularly be pleased by the sharpness shown by Navarro and Sancet, whose goals could be an indication of what’s to come once the competitive season begins.
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Conclusion
Athletic Bilbao’s 3-0 victory over Derio was an ideal start to their pre-season schedule. After a stubborn first-half resistance from the hosts, Bilbao’s quality eventually shone through with Ruben Navarro’s brace and Oihan Sancet’s strike sealing a comfortable win.
While friendly results are rarely the ultimate measure of success, Bilbao will be satisfied with the performance, clean sheet, and growing momentum as preparations for the 2026/27 season continue.
