Athletic Bilbao faces a daunting task in their Europa League semi-final return leg against Manchester United. Already trailing 3-0 from the first leg at San Mamés, the Basque side’s chances have been further diminished by a string of crucial absences.

Coach Ernesto Valverde will be without several key players, considerably impacting both the attack and defense.

Williams Brothers Ruled Out

The most notable absences are those of brothers Nico and Iñaki Williams. Nico Williams,who missed the derby against Real Sociedad,continues to suffer from discomfort stemming from the first leg. Iñaki Williams, the elder brother, is sidelined with a muscle injury to his right leg, sustained during the weekend’s match where he was substituted in the 62nd minute.

Further Setbacks in Midfield and Defense

Adding to Valverde’s woes, Oihan Sancet, the club’s top scorer this season, remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury that also kept him out of the first leg. In defense, Daniel Vivian is suspended following his red card in the first leg.

To compensate for these absences, Valverde has called up several young players from the reserve team. Though, the challenges facing Bilbao are considerable.

Valverde’s Outlook

While no direct quotes from Valverde were available in the original article, it’s reasonable to assume that he acknowledges the difficulty of the situation. Overcoming these absences will require tactical adjustments and a strong team effort.

Facing the Odds

The article concludes with a somewhat pessimistic outlook, stating that Bilbao “really has everything not to succeed…” However,in soccer,anything is possible,and Bilbao will undoubtedly fight to the end.

Potential Final Venue

The article notes, “At worst, they will meet the Mancunians when they come to play the final in their stadium…” This adds another layer of challenge for Bilbao, as Manchester United would have a significant home advantage if they were to reach the final.