Athletic Club beat Burgos 3-0 at El Plantio

Athletic Club defeated Burgos 3-0 in an unusual two-hour preseason fixture. The match used four periods of thirty minutes because of extreme heat. Jesus Areso, Robert Navarro and Inaki Williams scored the goals.

Areso opened the scoring against one of his former clubs. Navarro continued his productive summer after the interval. Williams completed the result during his first preseason appearance.

Four periods changed the normal match rhythm

Temperatures reached thirty-six degrees at El Plantio. The teams therefore played four separate thirty-minute periods. Additional breaks allowed players to drink and receive instructions.

Athletic used the format to test several different groups. The opening team still contained many regular senior players. Burgos also changed heavily during the later periods.

The extended duration created one hundred and twenty minutes of football. Both coaches could distribute more playing time than in a standard friendly. The heat remained a major physical factor throughout.

Burgos welcomed a large home crowd despite the conditions. Around seven thousand spectators attended the match. Athletic supporters also travelled for the nearby summer fixture.

Athletic controlled the opening period through its midfield and left side. Yuri Berchiche, Alex Berenguer and Oihan Sancet combined before moving the ball across the area. Sannadi allowed the final pass to continue.

Areso arrived from the opposite side and scored after fourteen minutes. He did not celebrate against his former supporters. The goal also became his first for Athletic’s senior team.

The right-sided player continued advancing high during later attacks. One pass found Sancet near the area, but the midfielder shot over. Another cross produced a header that Burgos cleared near the line.

Burgos responded with a distant left-footed effort from Hernáiz. Alex Padilla made the save. Mollejo supplied the home team’s most active forward movement during the first hour.

Navarro extended his strong preseason scoring run

Robert Navarro entered during the second half of the extended match. He combined with Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Peio Canales. A quick passing exchange carried him into a clear shooting position.

Navarro finished the move after sixty-three minutes. The goal was already his fifth during preseason. His form has provided Athletic with another option while Nico Williams remains absent.

Athletic’s substitutes moved the ball comfortably against Burgos’ changed group. The difference between the squads became more visible after each rotation. Burgos rarely reached the visiting penalty area.

Navarro nearly scored again shortly after his first finish. Burgos goalkeeper Ander Cantero prevented a larger margin. Athletic continued recovering possession high up the pitch.

Inaki Williams entered for his first preseason appearance. He began as the central forward and later moved toward the wing. His running immediately added depth behind Burgos’ defence.

Galarreta supplied the pass for Athletic’s third goal after eighty-four minutes. Williams reached the ball and completed the finish. His return gave the match another positive development for the visitors.

Burgos produced its only shot on target very late in the extended contest. Dadie tested Athletic goalkeeper Alex Santos after one hundred and eight minutes. Santos handled the attempt without difficulty.

Athletic also had a fourth goal disallowed after a prior foul. The team maintained control until the final whistle. Burgos could not build a sustained response.

Athletic completed the easier part of its summer schedule

The result continued Athletic’s strong scoring record during early preseason. The opponents in those matches came from lower levels. Stronger tests against Marseille and Atalanta now follow.

Areso’s goal and repeated forward runs offered useful evidence in his new role. Navarro again converted a chance from the second group. Williams returned without a reported physical problem.

Burgos used the match to assess its squad under Sergio Francisco. Injuries and incomplete transfer work limited several options. The team defended better during shorter periods than across the full two hours.

Athletic’s three goals came from different stages of the game. An opening starter, a productive substitute and a returning senior forward all scored. The long format therefore served several separate preseason purposes.

Burgos continued competing despite the high temperature and unusual schedule. The hosts protected the one-goal gap until Navarro scored after the interval. Williams then settled the final period with a controlled finish.

The attendance passed seven thousand at El Plantio. Supporters watched two squads use almost every available player. Athletic’s experience became clearer as the match progressed, especially around the second and third goals.