Nico Serrano the latest to join Terzic’s plans

Nico Serrano has become the latest player to be worked into Athletic’s rotation under Ernesto Terzic. As Mundo Deportivo reports, the Navarre native is the newest addition among the 22 men Terzic has used across the team’s first six La Liga matchdays.

Serrano’s first minutes of the season came in the game against Alavés, where he entered in the 86th minute as the “last option”. He replaced a Yuri who was struggling physically, then moved into the right side of the attack while Álex Berenguer shifted to the left-back role. Shortly after coming on, he nearly made an impact right away with a shot that went close to the post.

Early chances and limited minutes

According to Mundo Deportivo, Serrano was not even named in the squad for the first four league games after Terzic took charge. His involvement changed thereafter: he was included for the match vs Elche, also made the list for the clash against Levante, and then returned to the pitch again on Saturday.

“Working very hard” at Lezama

Terzic, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, explained what he expects from Serrano: “Independientemente de lo que pasara en pretemporada, el mercado se cerró y ahora todas las puertas están abiertas para rendir. No hay ningún jugador que esté lejos de recibir su oportunidad”.

With the main group already established — the Williams brothers, Sancet, Robert Navarro and Berenguer supporting the forward unit featuring Iñaki, as the article frames it — Serrano is likely to continue waiting for his moments. Mundo Deportivo also highlights that, up to this point, Serrano and the Guinea-Bissau international are the least used by Terzic among the players who have featured in these matches.