Víctor Martín takes charge of Athletic for the first time against a Badalona side that finished eight points behind the Basque club last season and have strengthened their attack.
Athletic and Badalona begin their Liga F campaigns at Lezama on Sunday. The hosts finished seventh last season with 44 points, while the Catalan side were tenth with 36 — three fewer than they picked up on the pitch. The disciplinary committee docked them in February, when they were seventh, for travelling to away matches without a team doctor; Badalona maintain that the obligation falls on the home club.
Their two meetings were closely contested. The match at Lezama ended 0-0 before Athletic won 1-0 away in Badalona through a Clara Pinedo goal.
Athletic’s biggest change is in the dugout. Víctor Martín, who managed Atlético Madrid for the past two seasons, has replaced Javi Lerga and signed a contract until June 2027.
The Basque side ended pre-season with a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Euskal Herria Kopa final. They had previously beaten Alavés 3-0 and drawn 0-0 with both Deportivo and Logroño.
Badalona have retained Marc Ballester and signed nine players, including Sheila Guijarro, Mirari Uria, Lauri Requena and Kalu Chinyere. They won three of their five friendlies, scoring four goals in each victory. After losing 1-0 to Espanyol, they ended their preparations with a 4-0 win over Barcelona B.
Athletic will be without Daniela Agote and Elene Gurtubay, who are away with Spain ahead of the Under-20 World Cup.
Athletic Club vs FC Badalona Women
Sunday 30 August · 12:00 CEST
Lezama
Where to watch: DAZN, RTVE Play, 3Cat and Esport3