Flying out from the first team to reinforce the reserve team from time to time is usually never easy. Last Saturday, that was evident again at Lezama. Adu Ares and Unai Gomez, two dynamic players of Athletic, were unremarkable for Bilbao Athletic in the second leg of the RFEF against Utebo. Other teammates, who already know what it’s like to spend at least part of the preseason under Valverde’s command, also didn’t quite live up to expectations.

There is no doubting the quality of Adu Ares. A skilled and quick winger usually eliminates markers and those who try to block him with relative ease, but is unable to finish the play. A good cross is no good, and shooting between three sticks is no good either.

What the 21-year-old winger is telling us is that he hasn’t just exploded. In terms of his defense, it is worth noting that despite having been in the first team for so long, he has rarely, if ever, played, let alone played alongside Valverde. A football player of his quality and age needs to spend more time on the field than on the bench. It wouldn’t hurt to make him feel less apathetic and more cooperative when retrieving balls or chasing markers during missions.

The case with Unai Gomez is different. The Bermeo midfielder is seen as always wanting to play against the world. He goes for it, fights like a boar and knows what to do with the ball at his feet.

He didn’t have the best afternoon against Utebo on Saturday, but that wasn’t because he didn’t stop trying. He first played in front of two pivots. Next, move to a slightly backward position.

Gulpegui was not used as a left-back, unlike his predecessor who was on the bench. This time, the position was originally occupied by Luis Bilbao. Berango was promoted to the first team by coach Marcelino because of his status as a winger, but Valverde doesn’t like him and Lezama’s managers are apparently betting on him to fill the left-defence position. The same thing happened to Unai Gomez at a particular time last season, when the first-team coach gave him his debut in the first division as a midfielder.

other “lion”

The match against Utebo also saw the performance of goalkeeper Padilla, who had not had much work, and Egils, who has been part of the first team in recent days. The central defender fulfilled his duties with great fanfare. Over time, he went from less to more, just like the rest of the team.

Hugo Rincon deserves special mention. A lot was expected of Lezama as a right-back, but after a sluggish first half, his hair fell out after the break. What we know for now is that while his passing accuracy is still lacking, he is much better at attacking than he is defending.

Vita started, but was substituted at half-time. The team improved with Unai Gomez taking his place.