Spanish football preseason challenges

In early July, Athletic Bilbao entered preseason with several first‑team players sidelined by injuries, including an adductor strain, quadriceps overload, and an ACL reconstruction. The club also noted absences due to the World Cup and personal leave, prompting adjustments to training plans and squad composition. At the same time, lower‑division side Recreativo de Huelva faced its own injury woes and contract uncertainty, leaning on youth and new signings.

By late July, the preseason picture remained turbulent. Athletic Bilbao, now under newly appointed coach Ernesto Valverde, continued to focus on fitness and squad assessment, acknowledging that early results were tentative. Meanwhile, Cádiz CF endured a string of defeats in its preseason schedule, drawing criticism over offensive play and strategic decisions. The combined injuries, coaching changes, and poor results underscored a broader period of difficulty for Spanish clubs as they prepared for the upcoming league campaigns.