Athletic Club is building its early campaign on defensive discipline under manager Edin Terzic after eleven rounds of the Liga season.
El Correo reported that while external analysts initially focused on the German coach’s high press and attacking intensity, the team’s underlying metrics point to a rigid defensive foundation.
That solidity mirrors the club’s performance from two seasons ago, when the squad finished a historic campaign with only 29 goals conceded in total and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
«I want my players to show talent in attack, that they are very optimistic, and that they are very pesimistic in defence, that they show mentality and concentration, that they see where they have to protect if a teammate loses the ball,» Terzic said during his presentation at San Mamés.
Statistics show the Bilbao side leads the domestic competition with six clean sheets despite having played one match fewer than several rivals. Only Real Madrid, Celta de Vigo, and Atlético Madrid have conceded fewer goals at this stage, each letting in 10 compared to Athletic’s tally.
The defensive structure has limited opponents to 124 shots overall. Only Barcelona holds a better defensive mark in that category, allowing 87 attempts over 12 matches, according to league figures.
Villarreal follows closely with 131 shots conceded, while Atlético Madrid has faced 140 attempts and Real Madrid 147. Yet lapses remain, highlighted by three goals conceded against Levante in a rescheduled fixture and early defensive struggles against Sevilla.
Terzic has rotated his defensive lineup across fixtures, but playing time highlights clear preferences in the squad. Aymeric Laporte leads outfield players with 825 minutes played, trailing only goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Yuri Berchiche stands as the fifth most utilized player with 751 minutes, anchoring the left-back position ahead of Johaneko, who has logged 279 minutes following Adama Boiro’s loan move to West Ham United. Hugo Rincón leads right-backs with 547 minutes.
Aitor Paredes has accumulated 513 minutes and Yeray Álvarez has played 432 minutes.
Keep reading
