The times when Aitor Larrazabal and Asier Del Horno were undisputed headlines as it is now Yuri berchiche He cannot hide that in the demarcation of the left-back there may be problems in Athletic in the short or medium term, depending on how you see it. In a matter of a few weeks, the Bilbao club has lost two players who chose to fill that position, in a very residual way from what has been seen in the last two seasons. Ni Cristian Ganea and Andoni López have passed the casting and between Yuri and Balenziaga they should share the role, inclined very clearly in favor of the first.
The problem that has already arisen is that Zarautz's side has been dragging serious pubic problems – in the past year he had it on one shoulder due to a recent fall against Valencia – that have weighed down for the development of the current preseason , so atypical. Given that he has not played a single minute in the four friendly matches of this summer period, the normal thing is that Balenziaga act as the starter against Granada.
Ends in 2021
Looking more in the long term, it must be remembered that at the end of this season Zumarraga's side will end his contract. He will do it with 33 years, while Yuri will finish with 31. Interestingly, both are from February. The two arrived at Athletic as signings, although Zaragoza had already formed in the lower ranks years ago. The question that arises is what will happen to Zumarraga, if the contract will be extended or not.
At the moment there is no alternative from the quarry to, for example, replace Balenziaga. The left-back position is causing problems in Athletic, which has to fix it with signings. The alternative given to Aurtenetxe years ago it did not last long, and the Koikili, though it came from the Sestao River. Flavor never made the leap in quality that was expected, as happened to Xabi Castillo.
Of almost everything as in the pharmacy
Having discarded two players from the same demarcation almost at the same time is not normal. In the tests you have done Garitano there has not been a specific left-back from Bilbao Athletic. And there comes the doubt about the future for a Athletic under renovation, which has alternatives in defense –Walls, then Vivian, Sillero …-, middle of the field –Zarraga, Victor, Meadows …– and up front- Vicente, Morcillo, Ewan, Serrano …-. But what about the left-back?