Inaki Williams is a player of Athletic Bilbao
Iñaki Williams is facing a race against time to recover ahead of Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League quarter-final game against Rangers after suffering a hamstring strain on Sunday, April 13, 2025, during their match against Rayo Vallecano.
After enduring three consecutive 0-0 draws, including one against a depleted Rangers side at Ibrox, Athletic Club finally rediscovered their spark, coming from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
However, the triumph came at a cost, as Williams was forced off in stoppage time with what appeared to be a hamstring issue.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde now faces an anxious wait, as Williams, a key figure in the squad with 11 goals this season, may be a doubt for the crucial upcoming fixtures.
Speaking after the game, Valverde shared details about Williams’ substitution and the severity of the injury.
“We’ll have to wait and see. It’s true that he had slight discomfort, and I didn’t want him to continue just in case. We needed to avoid a dangerous situation, so I decided to have him leave the pitch without a substitute to replace him. If you’re on the pitch, there’s always a chance you make a run and the problem worsens,” Valverde explained.
Bilbao will face Rangers on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the San Mamés as they aim to win the Europa League for the first time in their history.
FKA/MA
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