The highly anticipated 2025/26 La Liga season kicked off with a tense and hard-fought match between Athletic Club and Sevilla at the iconic San Mamés stadium. The opening fixture saw both sides battling for the first three points of the new campaign, with Athletic looking to build on their impressive fourth-place finish last season and Sevilla desperate to start on a more positive note after a disappointing 17th-place finish in 2024/25.
The match, which took place on Sunday, August 17, saw a competitive display from both teams. Athletic Club, playing in front of their home crowd, aimed to leverage their strong home form from the previous season. The Basque side's pre-season form, which included several losses, had raised some concerns among fans, but they were determined to put that behind them. Led by the dynamic attacking duo of the Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, Athletic looked to pressure the new-look Sevilla defense.
Sevilla, under the guidance of new manager Matías Almeyda, came into the match with a point to prove. The club had a difficult pre-season, but their recent form had been more encouraging. With new signings and a refreshed squad, they sought to erase the memories of their near-relegation last season. A host of players were either unavailable or faced late fitness tests, including several key defenders and midfielders, which presented a challenge for Almeyda's side.
While the full match report and final score are pending, the build-up to the game was filled with anticipation. Athletic Club's preparations saw them finalize their squad list and receive encouraging words from head coach Ernesto Valverde, who expressed his belief that the team can "take a step further forward" this season. For Sevilla, the focus was on integrating new players and improving their defensive solidity.
The head-to-head history between these two Spanish giants is closely contested, with Athletic holding a slight advantage in their all-time encounters. At their home ground, Athletic have a more dominant record against Sevilla. The last domestic league meeting between the two ended in a 1-0 victory for Athletic Club, a result they were hoping to replicate to start their new season in style.
