ATHLETIC NEWS

Dani Vivian - Busy defensively in return Vivian made three tackles (two won), four clearances, two interceptions and two blocks, helped his side to keep a clean sheet and was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 2-0 win ov...

Impact Vivian returned to the team after serving a one-match ban and was an imposing presence at the heart of the defense, filling the stat sheet and prevailing over opposing forwards most of the times. The center-back didn't register any shots but was still important on the attacking end as well as his presence at the far post forced Saul Coco into heading the ball into his own net for the goal that sealed Athletic's 2-0 win. With at least three clearances and two interceptions in each of his last three starts, Vivian looks like an excellent fantasy pick right now.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Quiet outing on Sunday Williams had one off-target shot, created one chance and drew three fouls during Sunday's 2-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Williams had another subpar performance here, being held in check during the entire contest, with his lone finish being a harmless long-range attempt in the first half. The forward is still to find his best form since returning from AFCON, with just one goal over his last seven league appearances.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Keeps back-to-back clean sheets Simon made two saves and kept a clean sheet during Sunday's 2-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Simon saw his side dominating most of the contest but still had to make a pair of great interventions to guarantee his second consecutive shutout and the fifth over the last seven starts. Also, Simon ranks first among all La Liga goalkeepers, with 14 over 28 games. He'll try to make it three in-a-row during Saturday's home clash against Alaves.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Logs assist in return Williams made an assist, had one off-target shot and sent in two crosses (one accurate) during Sunday's 2-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Williams returned to the team after serving a one-match suspension and made a huge contribution just after the half-hour mark as he assisted Gorka Guruzeta's opener with a perfect cross from the left-flank. That's now seven assists over 21 appearances for the wonderkid this season, already a career high. with several games still to play.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Scores opener versus Las Palmas Guruzeta scored a goal off two shots (one on target) and created one chance during Sunday's 2-0 win over Las Palmas.

Impact Guruzeta was once again instrumental for his side to win all three points. this time using his head to send home a cross from the left and open the scoring for Athletic just after the half-hour mark. The forward is enjoying a breakthrough campaign and he's being even more special as of late, with three goals and two assists over the last five outings.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Picks up hamstring injury Yuri picked up a hamstring injury during Sunday's win over Las Palmas and will start treatment this week, the club announced Monday.

Impact Athletic announced Yuri will be assessed by the medical staff and will monitor his progress, but it wouldn't be surprising if he had to spend time on the sidelines again. The left-back has dealt with injuries throughout the campaign, and the game against Las Palmas represented his return from a one-game absence.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Picks up one-game ban Paredes made six clearances in Sunday's 2-0 road win over Las Palmas. He also picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, meaning he'll be suspended to face Deportivo Alaves on...

Impact Paredes has been a regular at center-back for Athletic Club, starting in all but four games during the league campaign and missing just one match. Expect Dani Vivian and Yeray Alvarez to start at the heart of the defense against Alaves, but Paredes will be eligible to return after the international break, when Athletic faces a tough matchup at Real Madrid on March 31.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Starting against Las Palmas Berchiche (leg) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Las Palmas.

Impact Berchiche returns to the XI Sunday after missing just one league match with a leg injury suffered two weeks ago. The left-back scored a brace a few starts ago, but that wasn't the norm, as he's totaled just four shots on goal from 12 shots in 20 appearances this season.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Peyton Manning pursuing Bill Belichick to join Omaha Productions: Sources Peyton Manning is eyeing former rival Bill Belichick for a role with his Omaha Productions entertainment company, sources tell The Athletic.

MARCH 6 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Makes four tackles De Galarreta generated four tackles (two won) in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Barcelona.

Impact De Galarreta only had 27 minutes of play Sunday and managed to record four tackles in the process. He's generated 13 in the last eight matches played, starting in six of those games in the defensive midfield.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Sends 10 crosses Williams had 10 crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Barcelona.

Impact Williams had a season high of crosses to bring his average per match to 3.6. He's started five of the last six games played, recording a goal with 11 shots (four on target) and seven chances created in that span.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Makes one save in draw Simon made one save and secured a clean sheet in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Barcelona.

Impact Simon extends his clean sheet league in La Liga after securing his 13th clean sheet of the season Sunday. He's only allowed 26 goals on the season while averaging about 2.7 saves per match. The keeper will head to Las Palmas on Sunday, who have scored seven goals in the last five contests.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers Projected to Trade Up for Receiver in Expert's Latest Mock Draft The Athletic predicts a trade up from Carolina to bolster receiving room.

MARCH 5 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Nico Williams - Will return to face Las Palmas Williams completed his one-game suspension and will be available to face Las Palmas on Sunday.

Impact There's no question Athletic Club missed Williams' pace and skill on the wing in the matchup against Barcelona. Still, the speedy forward is eligible to return against Las Palmas, so he'll provide a massive boost to Athletic's forward line. Williams is having an excellent season and is on pace to surpass his career-best numbers. He has three goals and six assists so far across 22 Liga outings (20 starts).

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Completes suspension Vivian completed his one-game suspension and will be available to face Las Palmas on Sunday.

Impact Vivian was forced to sit the scoreless draw against Barcelona on Sunday due to yellow-card accumulation, but he'll return for the matchup against Las Palmas and is expected to return to his regular starting role. He's been part of the XI in each of his 24 league appearances in 2023/24, making it the third straight campaign in which he starts 20-plus league contests.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Returns in Cup Lekue got the start and played 90 minutes during Thursday's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Impact Lekue was back in the starting XI after missing a league clash with Betis last time out. The defender has been the preferred starting option when fully fit and should be back in the starting XI at left-back for Sunday's league clash with Barcelona. Especially with Yuri Berchiche suffering from a hamstring issue.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Imanol Garcia de Albeniz - Appears off the bench Garcia de Albeniz registered three crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle in Sunday's 3-1 defeat against Betis. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 59th minute.

Impact Garcia de Albeniz replaced Yuri Berchiche in first-half stoppage time who came off due to a leg injury. He didn't do much of note statistically outside of crossing thrice and making an interception but he appears to be next in line to cover at left-back for his side as long as Berchiche remains out.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Fine form continues Alex Berenguer assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 3-1 loss to Betis. In addition, he was given a yellow card i...

Impact Berenguer has started all six matches for which he has been available recently and has tallied four goals and one assist in that time. This follows a run of three starts in the club's first 17 matches of the season and he appears firmly in Ernesto Valverde's starting XI as long as this run of form keeps going.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Clinical in defeat Guruzeta scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 3-1 loss versus Betis.

Impact Guruzeta made his only shot of this contest count by scoring his tenth goal in 25 appearances (23 starts). He is in good form with four goal contributions in his last three matches and will be relied on more than usual next week in attack with Nico Williams out suspended against Barcelona.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Rough outing in loss Simon had three saves and allowed three goals in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Betis.

Impact Simon made multiple stops for the fifth game in a row as he conceded three goals for the third time this season. He will aim to keep another clean sheet next time out against Barcelona after a run of seven shutouts in his last 12 appearances.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Soto Q&A: The Yankees star on his trade to New York, contract outlook and more The outfielder spoke to The Athletic at Yankees camp in Tampa last week.

FEBRUARY 28 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Everton points deduction: What the appeal decision means for them and everyone else The Athletic examines where Everton succeeded in their appeal against a 10-point deduction, and where their arguments ended up falling short

FEBRUARY 27 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Yuri Berchiche - Leg injury confirmed Berchiche has picked up a muscle issue within his right leg following his early exit from Sunday's match against Real Betis, the club confirmed Monday.

Impact Berchiche looks to be heading toward the sideline for a bit, having picked up a muscle injury in the hamstring of his right leg. His absence could be a brutal blow to the club, as he has been a regular starter this season, getting the start in nine of their past 12 matches. The defender has yet to undergo further testing, so the seriousness of the injury or a timeline for his return is still unknown. If he does miss any time due to his complications, expect Imanol Garcia de Albeniz to get the start in his place.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Vivian - Ineligible Sunday Vivian will serve a one-match ban for accumulation against Barcelona on Sunday.

Impact Vivian picked up his fifth booking of the season against Betis on Sunday, leading to his one-match suspension. Considering the central defender has played in all but two of the club's La Liga matches this season, his absence will no doubt be keenly felt on the backline. Yeray Alvarez and Aitor Paredes figures to hold down the middle of the backline without Vivian in the squad.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE