Tue Sep 23 16:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the text:

**Summary:**

Athletic Bilbao faces Girona at San Mamés today in a La Liga match. After playing Arsenal in the Champions League last week, they now face the league’s bottom team. The article warns against complacency, recalling Girona’s victory over them last season. While Sancet scored a hat-trick against Girona in the second leg, Girona was playing Champions League at the time, highlighting the potential impact of European competition on league performance. After a strong start to the season, Athletic has suffered two consecutive defeats in La Liga. The team’s goal is to qualify for Europe again, making this game crucial. The coach’s decision to delay releasing the team list adds an element of surprise.

**News Article:**

**Athletic Bilbao Aim to Bounce Back Against Struggling Girona at San Mamés**

BILBAO – Athletic Bilbao will host Girona at San Mamés this afternoon, looking to return to winning ways after two consecutive La Liga defeats. The match comes on the heels of a high-profile Champions League clash against Arsenal last week, providing a stark contrast as they face the league’s bottom-placed team.

Despite Girona’s current position, manager Ernesto Valverde will be wary of complacency. Last season, Girona upset Athletic, and the article reminds reader that Athletic are not to be comfortable in this game.

Athletic began the season strongly with three consecutive league wins, but losses to Alavés and Valencia have stalled their momentum. Another defeat would significantly hamper their aspirations of qualifying for Europe, a goal explicitly stated by both club president Jon Uriarte and manager Valverde.

The importance of this match is clear, and the pressure is on Athletic to secure a victory. Adding to the intrigue, Valverde has delayed announcing his squad list, leaving fans guessing about potential surprises. The delayed announcement could give Athletic a strategic advantage and keep Girona from preparing. All eyes will be on San Mamés as Athletic Bilbao seeks to get their La Liga campaign back on track.

Read More