Nico Williams and Inaki Williams have joined Oihan Sancet on the sidelines for Athletic Bilbao prior to the second stage of their semi-final draw of the Europa League against Manchester United.
Ernesto Valverde's athletics is confronted with a huge task if they want to reach the Europa League final in their home stadium in San Mames, after they have lost 3-0 in the first stage at home.
In all major European competitions, only one party ever won the first stage of a two-legged knockout draw from home with three or more goals and did not make it ahead.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is the only team that does this and wins 4-1 at Olympiakos in the 2023-24 Europa Conference League Last 16 and then lost 6-1 at home after extra time in the second stage.
The hope of Athletic for replying the Vechtback from Olympiakos has now had a big blow, with their top three scorers of this season all absent in their travel party.
𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧
Ernesto Valverde has called on players for the collision of tomorrow with @manutd at Old Trafford.
Travel details #athleticclub pic.twitter.com/jawqcrlal7
– Athletic Club (@athletic_en) 7 May 2025
Sancet, who has 17 goals in all competitions this campaign, missed the first stage due to injury and was not restored to travel to Manchester on time.
Nico Williams – one of the stars of Spain's Euro 2024 Triumph – played 79 minutes in the first stage but has had to deal with a lies problem and he missed their scoreless draw with Real Sociedad in Laliga on Sunday.
He was not appointed in Athletic's 24-man team for Thursday's second stage, with his brother Inaki Williams was also omitted after a hamstring problem.
Both Williams Brothers have 11 goals each this season in all competitions, with Nico adding nine assists and Inaki seven registers.