Zaragoza vs Athletic Club - Friendlies Clubs

A fascinating Friendlies Clubs chapter awaits on August 21, 2026 when Zaragoza take on Athletic Club at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Ferencvaros v Real Madrid: Confirmed line-ups for Mourinho’s latest pre-season clash.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Friendlies Clubs contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. The on-loan Southampton striker had scored on his debut for Auxerre in defeat last weekend but followed it up with the winning goal against Nice to earn his old boss Will Still his first points in the job.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Zaragoza will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Athletic Club will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. St Johnstone twice gave up a lead before storming back to edge a seven-goal thriller on their Scottish Premiership return at home to Kilmarnock.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. Whatever the outcome, the Friendlies Clubs fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.