Athletic Women begin new era against Badalona

Liga F curtain-raiser

Athletic Women launch their new project with Víctor Martín at the helm. The rojiblancas make their Liga F debut on 30 August, hosting FC Badalona at Lezama (12:00), and do so without any new signings, as Mundo Deportivo reports.

According to the same source, the reset comes after a difficult previous season in which the team finished seventh and fell short of expectations. Martín’s early message in pre-season has been positive: “very positive, the team is very connected,” he said, as quoted by the paper.

Squad status

For the opener, Martín’s plans are affected by absences. Elexpuru is sidelined with a tobillo problem, while Ortega is also not available despite training with the group. Neither Agote nor Gurtubay will be there, with both preparing for the U-20 World Cup with Spain. On the plus side, the coach will have Azkona, who made the matchday list even though she did not feature in any of the five friendlies.

Rival challenge

Martin also set the focus on control and energy. He expects a Badalona side that, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, invested strongly and ended last campaign 10th in Liga F. The coach warned that their attacking approach can hurt space and push the match into direct moments, so Athletic must be “very connected.”

Finally, he sought to calm any background noise, saying “I spoke with the captains and I don’t sense distractions on the pitch.” And with respect to last year’s slow start—where Athletic didn’t win until the 10th matchday—he insists the goal is to win “every day,” not to chase narratives from the past.