Athletic Bilbao Recovers Defender Dani Vivian Ahead of Elche Clash
G. E (Elbotola)
19 February 2026at21:00
Athletic Bilbao has announced the return of central defender Dani Vivian to the squad for the upcoming match against Elche next Friday at San Mamés Stadium.
Vivian had been sidelined for several weeks due to an adductor overload, which caused him to miss six previous matches for the team.
This return provides a significant boost for coach Ernesto Valverde, who previously had to rely on players from the reserve team to fill defensive gaps during Vivian's absence.
The team is currently contending with the absences of Mikel Jauregizar, Nico Williams, Sancet, Prados, Egiluz, and Berenguer due to injury, making Vivian's return even more crucial for the squad.
Q&A
Why was Dani Vivian absent from Athletic Bilbao's recent matches?
Dani Vivian was sidelined for several weeks due to an adductor overload, which caused him to miss six previous matches for Athletic Bilbao. His return is a significant boost for the team's defense.
How does Dani Vivian's return impact Athletic Bilbao's squad for the Elche game?
Vivian's return provides a significant boost for coach Ernesto Valverde, especially as Athletic Bilbao is currently contending with multiple other key player absences due to various injuries.
