Head coach Ernesto Valverde was very pleased with his team's victory in the opening match of the 2025-26 La Liga season. He emphasized the fierce competition in La Liga and praised the players for their outstanding performance in defeating Sevilla at the San Mamés Stadium.  

Nico Williams opened the scoring for Athletic Bilbao with a penalty kick, then assisted Maroan Sanadi for the second goal, giving them a 2-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Sevilla launched a fierce counterattack, with goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Lucien Agoume equalizing the score. However, Nico Williams and Roberto Navarro's collaboration ultimately secured all three points for Athletic Bilbao.  

Head coach Ernesto Valverde said : " Winning in La Liga is extremely challenging and requires a huge effort. Even so, victory or defeat often comes down to the smallest details. Every game is difficult, so it is crucial to maintain a good form. It is worth mentioning that our performance in pre-season was not ideal."  

"We are a well-balanced and strong team. More importantly, I was eager to win the first game of the season. The game was very fast-paced and did not feel like the start of the season. We controlled the game in the first half, but the opponent played better in the second half."  

"Taking responsibility is key, especially when playing at home. When they equalise, we have to step up and deal with it. Just like a movie, if it ends in your favour, it's the perfect ending."