Francisco expects to have the Athletic Club ready for Sunday, with nearly the entire first team available though a few doubts still hang in the air. Elche CF’s first-choice goalkeeper raised alarms this Wednesday. Edgar Badia missed the morning training at the Díez Iborra football field due to a lower back issue, while Martínez Valero trained separately with one of the club’s physiotherapists in the gym.
According to the Cope network, the substitute andreu in the Honours Division helped cover Edgar Badía’s absence during the session, alongside Axel Werner and Jesús López. The Elche coach chose not to mention Juanpe Navarro to avoid spoiling plans in the reserve squad.
Badia did not attend the stadium morning session, but he is on the road to recovery, as reported by the club. The Catalan keeper will try to train with the group in today and tomorrow’s sessions. Francisco will decide based on his sensations, with the support of the medical staff and the player’s own input.
For now, the backup keeper is in line to start against Athletic Bilbao this Sunday at 16:15 in week 5 of La Liga. Elche have had a tough start to the campaign, managing only a 1-1 draw in four games with Almería. Although nine goals were conceded in those matches, Badia’s presence is seen as a crucial factor in the effort to challenge the Basque side.
“El Santo” could line up as the lead option in Francisco’s plan for the clash with Athletic Bilbao. The Franciverde boss will have most of his squad available, though some players may still be doubtful. Gonzalo Verdú appears the least likely to feature. After more than a month and a half of abductor treatment, the captain has rejoined training with the group, but his match sharpness remains an issue.
Practically speaking, Francisco plans to have all his players at Díez Iborra on Thursday for a session scheduled at 10:30, with 15 minutes reserved for media footage. Fidel Chaves, Pol Lirola and Omar Mascarell will also be on the pitch with their teammates. Fidel has been out for three days but is expected to rejoin the squad. The winger from Huelva has recovered from hamstring troubles and has already completed several full training sessions.
Lirola, who missed the last match in Ciutat de València, has recovered from an adductor injury. He has lightened the load in some practices this week but mostly trains with the group. In midfield, Omar Mascarell has shown Achilles tendon discomfort in recent sessions, and today’s workout will be decisive to determine whether he can be part of Sunday’s plans.
Absence from the opponent
Athletic could be missing up to four players in Valencia, with two key concerns on the left side. The club’s left-footers Yuri Berchiche and Mikel Balenziaga will not participate as they have yet to join Basque training. Iñigo Lekue is the designated starter on the left, continuing to adapt after a leg adjustment. Midfielder Mikel Vesga has also been sidelined recently with group sessions limited, while Íñigo Martínez is back at full fitness and could feature in the starting lineup. Ander Herrera remains a question mark pending further assessment.
Francisco is hopeful for a complete squad this Sunday. The plan includes a strong lineup against Athletic Bilbao, with decisions likely tied to the latest medical updates and players’ sensations from training sessions.
Francisco expects to have nearly all first-team members available for the trip to face Athletic Club on Sunday, though a few players carry doubts about their readiness. Edgar Badía’s status remains under close watch after his lower back issue, with his ability to participate depending on his progress in ongoing rehab and medical guidance. In the meantime, Elche will rely on the alternative goalkeeper options in training to ensure a solid defensive setup against the Basque side.
According to the same sources, the squad will continue preparations in the choosing of a starting keeper, with the aim of maintaining balance between experience and form. The tactical plan emphasizes compact defending and controlled build-up, aiming to exploit quick counterattacks when opportunities arise. The coaching staff will monitor every practice detail as they map out the final lineup for Sunday.
Absence from the opponent
Athletic may arrive with up to four players unavailable. The two left-handed defenders of the coach’s preferred system are facing issues: Yuri Berchiche suffers from heel discomfort, and Mikel Balenziaga has a preseason sprain. They have not yet resumed full training with the Basque club. Iñigo Lekue remains the chosen left-back, though his load and adaptation continue to be evaluated. Midfielder Mikel Vesga has been training apart recently, while Íñigo Martínez has returned to 100 percent readiness and could feature in the lineup, adding a strong option in central defense. Ander Herrera’s status remains unclear, with decisions likely to hinge on fitness updates and tactical needs.