Athletic faces a month of European-standard opponents

Athletic will have a demanding August that will set the tone for the season. After wrapping up pre-season with matches against local Basque rivals, Terzic's side will travel to the Vélodrome to test themselves against Olympique Marseille, fifth in Ligue 1 and direct to the Europa League group stage. The French side arrive weakened: they have lost Greenwood (transferred to Fenerbahçe for around 40 million) and Aubameyang.

Four days later, the Lions will head to Bergamo to face Atalanta, opponents they know from last season's Champions League, where Athletic pulled off a memorable comeback (2-3). The Italians, now under Maurizio Sarri, will play in the Conference League.

The demands will continue in La Liga. Athletic will host Sevilla on 22 August at La Catedral, visit Barcelona on the 27th, and finish the month against Celta in Vigo on the 30th. All within nine days. As Mundo Deportivo reports: a month that will truly test the work done in pre-season.