Santos and Rego were the only Athletic players to play the full EH Txapela match

Santos and Rego were the only Athletic players to stay on the pitch for all 90 minutes of the EH Txapela against Real Sociedad. Terzic was able to distribute playing time across the squad, and the match also gave Rego and Prados their first minutes of the season.

The choice of goalkeeper was shaped by the absences of Unai Simón and Padilla, both away with their respective national teams. Terzic therefore had to call on the reserve-team keeper. His identity was not specified, but the decision underlined the need to draw on the players available for the match.

Simón García had been called up but did not come on. He watched the entire match from the bench alongside Galarreta, who also did not feature. By contrast, Santos and Rego stayed on the pitch until the final whistle.

Rego’s playing time has particular significance given his start to the season: this match brought him his first minutes, as it did for Prados. The distribution of time therefore involved both players who remained on the field to the end and those making their first appearances of the season, while several called-up players were not used.