Athletic Bilbao preseason: Terzić adds Racing de Santander friendly in Laredo on July 29
Athletic Bilbao preseason confirmed: Edin Terzić will lead a July 29 friendly against newly promoted Racing de Santander in Laredo, joining a Basque tour and a Burgos test.
Athletic Bilbao will add a high-profile tune-up to its summer programme as the club confirmed a friendly against Racing de Santander to be played in Laredo on July 29 at 19:00. The match forms part of the club’s Athletic Bilbao preseason schedule under new head coach Edin Terzić and follows a three-game Basque tour and a planned fixture against Burgos at El Plantío. The encounter against Racing, who return to the top flight after 14 years, is expected to provide a stern early assessment of Terzić’s squad.
Terzić to face promoted Racing in Laredo
The friendly in Laredo gives Terzić a first opportunity to test his side against a Primera opponent away from San Mamés. Athletic will confront Racing de Santander in a neutral coastal setting at 7pm on July 29, offering both teams valuable minutes before domestic campaigns begin.
The choice of Laredo reflects the club’s intent to stage matches where local support is strong and travel for supporters from both cities is feasible. For Terzić, the match presents a balance between competitive opposition and the controlled environment a preseason fixture should provide.
Racing’s return to Primera after 14 years
Racing de Santander’s promotion marks their return to LaLiga following a 14-year absence, making them a relevant opponent for Athletic’s preseason preparation. The Cantabrian side secured promotion convincingly as Segunda champions, and their presence in Laredo will bring renewed local enthusiasm.
Playing a newly promoted but confident Racing side allows Athletic to gauge match fitness and tactical cohesion against a team with momentum. It will also give Terzić a chance to see how his players respond to an opponent that will be preparing for a full-season challenge.
Basque tour set for mid-July tests
Before the Laredo friendly, Athletic will undertake a local Basque tour featuring three fixtures in mid-July. The tour is scheduled for July 15 in Derio, July 18 in Leioa, and July 22 against Sestao River, offering a series of shorter trips that prioritise squad rotation.
Those matches will provide early minutes for younger players and those returning from injury, while allowing Terzić and his staff to implement tactical principles in match conditions. The Basque tour retains the club’s tradition of regional engagement and prepares the squad for larger tests later in the pre-season.
Burgos friendly at El Plantío on August 1
Athletic’s pre-season slate also includes a fixture against Burgos at El Plantío, scheduled for August 1, which closes this phase of preparation. That match arrives after the Laredo encounter and will be one of the final opportunities for Terzić to refine his starting XI before competitive matches begin.
The Burgos game will test Athletic’s match-readiness against another Segunda side with which they will measure physical and tactical sharpness. Staging the encounter away from Bilbao fits the club’s strategy of using neutral and regional venues to broaden its preseason footprint.
Local support and Peña 7 de Abril involvement
The Laredo friendly will feature participation from Peña 7 de Abril Aitor Paredes, a supporters’ group based in the municipality, underlining the match’s community dimension. The club has highlighted hopes for a festive atmosphere, with many fans from Bizkaia spending summers in Cantabria and turning out for the game.
Involving local peñas reinforces Athletic’s longstanding ties with regional supporters and creates a more vibrant matchday environment. That communal backing is expected to boost attendance and provide players with spirited support in a seaside setting.
Match logistics, timing and expectations
Kick-off is set for 19:00 on July 29, a time intended to suit spectators and avoid the day’s peak heat in the coastal town. Organisers anticipate a matchday with local infrastructure prepared for an influx of fans and clubs coordinating transportation and security measures.
For Athletic, the fixture will be another practical step in Terzić’s preseason planning, offering minutes to assess combinations and fitness levels. For Racing, it provides a chance to continue building confidence ahead of their LaLiga return.
Athletic’s preseason now presents a clear, phased programme of regional tests and higher-calibre opposition that will allow Edin Terzić to evaluate his squad across multiple scenarios. The mix of local Basque fixtures, the Laredo friendly against a promoted Primera side, and the Burgos match at El Plantío gives the coaching staff a range of challenges to prepare the team for the competitive season that follows.
