Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde has expressed concern over the fitness of two key players ahead of their crucial UEFA Europa League semifinal second-leg clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Basque club, trailing 3-0 on aggregate, could be without both Oscar de Marcos and Nico Williams for Thursday’s showdown.
Williams, who has Ghanaian heritage and has been a standout performer this season, is battling a persistent groin injury.
His absence would be a significant blow to Athletic’s hopes of overturning the deficit. De Marcos is also nursing an injury, leaving Valverde with a potential selection crisis just days before the pivotal encounter.
Speaking before Bilbao’s goalless draw with Real Sociedad on Sunday, Valverde said: “We have to see how De Marcos is after the other day and Nico, who won’t be able to play because he’s not well, having had this groin pain for a while.
“He’s making an effort to be there but he’s not well. He’s feeling the effects of the season.
“He finished the other day very badly, yesterday he was also bad, today too, and he won’t be able to play tomorrow.”
Valverde, who has managed both Barcelona and Athletic over his career, also admitted there is uncertainty over Nico’s availability and hinted at a day-to-day evaluation.
“(Oihan) Sancet is doing well and as for Nico, we have to evaluate him day by day,” he added. “He’s been making an effort to be here but it’s been a while now and during the season it doesn’t come without a hitch for everyone, all these games so close together.
“They always lead to problems, not just for us. You see Inter, Barça, after so much effort.
“We’re not exempt from that happening to us.
“We’ll see day by day to see if we can recover and manage well until the end of the season.”
