2025/26 UCL opposition focus: Athletic Club

Set to face Atalanta in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Matchday 7, Chelsea will land in Bergamo for a 21:00 CET kick-off on Wednesday 21 January at the Bergamo stadium. For both sides, it’s a historic first-ever European meeting.

Founded in 1898 in Bilbao, the Basque outfit have been a permanent fixture in Spain’s top flight, La Liga, and remain one of the most tradition-steeped and identity-driven clubs in the country ever since their inception. Spanning from national competitions to European silverware, the red-and-whites’ honours list comprises: 8 Spanish league titles, 24 Copa del Rey triumphs, 3 Spanish Super Cups, as well as two landmark UEFA Cup/Europa League finals reached in the 1976/77 and 2011/12 seasons.

Since the 2022/23 season, the Lehoiak have been under the guidance of Spanish coach Ernesto Valverde.

Last time out in La Liga, Athletic suffered a 3-2 defeat away at Mallorca. After 20 league games, the Zuri-Gorriak have collected 24 points. On the European stage, the Bisquay Lions have recorded: a home win over Qarabağ (3-1), two goalless draws against Slavia Prague and Paris Saint-Germain, and three defeats against Arsenal (2-0), Borussia Dortmund (4-1) and Newcastle (2-0).