ATHLETIC NEWS

Nico Williams - Returns to training Thursday Williams (hip) is back in training and is expected to be an option to face Girona on Monday, Javier R. Beltran of Diario AS reports.

Impact Williams missed Athletic's last game against Almeria, but his presence in training Thursday is certainly a good sign for his availability ahead of Monday's match against Girona. All signs seem to be trending in the right direction for him to return to the squad -- and possibly the starting lineup -- against the surprise package of the current league campaign. However, if he doesn't start, then Alex Berenguer would find himself in the starting lineup once again.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Iker Muniain - Six cross performance Muniain recorded one shot (one on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Monday's 0-0 draw against Almeria.

Impact In a season of sporadic playing time, Muniain once again tried to make the most of his minutes after coming on at halftime to replace Unai Gomez. In his second half performance, Munain was central to Bilbao's effort to produce a breakthrough goal and was the key man for corner kicks (four attempted). Muniain has scored just one goal and not contributed an assist in 14 appearances (three starts) this campaign.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Eight cross performance Alex Berenguer registered one shot (zero on goal), eight crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Almeria.

Impact Berenguer was handed a place in the starting lineup after missing the previous two matches. His eight crosses attempted (one accurate) marked the third straight appearance in which Berenguer has attempted eight crosses and attempted at least one shot. Berenguer has already matched his goal contribution total form the previous campaign (4 goals, one assist) in significantly fewer appearances. His playing time should be monitored as Inaki WIlliams and Nico Williams look to return to full fitness.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Another substitute appearance Oihan Sancet registered one shot (zero on goal) in Monday's 0-0 draw against Almeria. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 84th minute.

Impact Sancet entered the fray for the final 24 minutes of play and made a negligible impact. After being selected to the starting lineup for 18 of his first 19 appearances of the season, Sancet suddenly has found himself playing the role of substitute in two of his last three appearances. Sancet has scored just three times this season after netting 10 goals in the previous campaign. His performance will need to improve if he is to retain the game time to which he is accustomed for the remainder of the campaign.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Asier Villalibre - Removed at halftime Villalibre generated two shots (one on goal) in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Almeria.

Impact Villalibre was handed his second consecutive start in four appearances since returning from loan. After an ineffective first half, he was removed at halftime in favor of Raul Garcia. Since returning to his parent club, Villalibre has been unable to make the impact for which Bilbao had hoped. To earn consistent minutes, Villalibre will have to improve upon his recent performance, having registered just one shot on target and created only one chance in his most recent four appearances (two starts).

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - League leader in clean sheets Simon registered four saves and allowed zero goals in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Almeria.

Impact Simon earned his third consecutive clean sheet Monday. The performance also earned Simon his 12th clean sheet of the season, leading La Liga. To date, Simon and the Bilbao defense rank third in La Liga, having allowed just 21 goals in 24 matches. Simon and Bilbao will face a more stringent test when they take on a prolific Girona side next Monday that are tied for top of the league in goals scored (52 in 24 matches).

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Introducing The Athletic's playstyle wheels 2.0 - to understand how teams play across Europe Using Opta metrics, The Athletic has created a new playstyle wheel — broken down into defence, possession, progression and attack

FEBRUARY 13 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Nico Williams - Sidelined Monday Williams (hip) is out for Monday's match against Athletic.

Impact Williams is not an option for Mondy's match due to a calf injury he picked up in last week's match against Mallorca. This is a major loss for the club, and they will hope for his return next week, as he has been a regular starter this season. Alex Berenguer takes over his role in the starting XI Monday and will most likely remain in that role if Williams misses any more time.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Out against Almeria Guruzeta (thigh) is out for Monday's contest against Almeria.

Impact Guruzeta is not an option Monday after going down injured this week during training. This is the forward's first match missed with the issue, and he will hope to return in the club's next contest. Asier Villalibre takes over his role as starting striker while Gurezeta is sidelined.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - In question for Monday Guruzeta is now listed as questionable for Monday's contest against Almeria after the club announced he suffered a thigh injury in Wednesday's Copa del Rey Semifinal against Atleti...

Impact Guruzeta appears to be the newest member of Athletic to hit the injury report, having picked up an issue in the thigh muscles of his left leg. This is an absolutely brutal blow for the club, as they will now possibly be without one of their regular starters, as the player has started in all but two contests this season. There is still a chance he gets to play Monday with a couple of days to recover and pending test results that have yet to be released, but he will most likely be held out to be cautious, having his next option to play be on Feb. 19 against Girona.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Lekue - Returns for Cup win Lekue (thigh) got the start and played 90 minutes during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Atleti in the Copa del Rey.

Impact Lekue missed a single match with a thigh injury but got back on the pitch at the first time of asking. The fact he was able to return in the Cup and didn't even need to wait for a Monday trip to Almeria is a good sign the injury was minor. Barring any setbacks Lekue should continue as the top choice left-back moving forward.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Returns in Copa del Rey Williams got the start and played 85 minutes during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Atleti in the Copa del Rey.

Impact Williams was questionable for Wednesday's match due to a foot injury but that proved not to be a major concern. The forward didn't miss a beat in making his return to the starting XI, creating a pair of chances and making some darting runs in behind. Williams has been the standard starting option on the right wing whenever fit, and should continue in that role.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Scores in win Berenguer started and scored during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Berenguer was originally a doubt for Wednesday's clash due to a hamstring injury but he got the start and got on the scoresheet. The winger could be in line for another start after missing two matches via the hamstring issue. Berenguer scored twice in three starts before suffering the injury, though it could be tough to fit Nico Williams (hip), Inaki Williams and Berenguer all in the starting XI together.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

A third of AFCON players were born outside of Africa. Does it matter? The Athletic speaks to players who have represented African nations despite being born abroad

FEBRUARY 7 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Alex Berenguer - On team sheet for cup match Berenguer (hamstring) has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury, but is on the team sheet for Wednesday's Copa de Rey match versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Berenguer had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but could see an appearance during Wednesday's semifinals cup match. He had previous started the last three games played in the attacking midfield, having scored two goals in that span.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Full Time with Jessy Parker Humphreys: Ramifications of Morgan sacking and Barca hit a milestone Welcome to The Athletic’s weekly women’s football column, a one-stop shop every Monday to discuss the big storylines in the game

FEBRUARY 5 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Iker Muniain - Scores off bench Muniain scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Friday's 4-0 victory against Mallorca.

Impact Since Dec. 2, Muniain has made three appearances, all off the bench. It took the third try, but he was able to finally get on the scoresheet for the 2023-24 La Liga. Ideally for Muniain, him scoring Friday can get him back to some regular playing time. After all, Athletic's team has played nine games since Dec. 2, and he sat out six of them.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Logs goal and assist Guruzeta scored one goal and assisted once from three shots and two chances created in Friday's 4-0 victory against Mallorca.

Impact After going cold to begin his 2024, Guruzeta began February with an assist to a Yuri Berchiche goal and scored one himself. Now with nine goals in the 2023-24 La Liga, he also has two assists across it, marking his first La Liga season with multiple assists.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Oihan Sancet - Finally logs assist Sancet assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Friday's 4-0 win against Mallorca.

Impact Sancet had not logged an assist since he went on a late-2023 tear that saw him average an assist across four games. Now, with five assists across the 2023-24 La Liga, they are his career best across a single season, and he still has time to significantly improve the tally.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Suffers undisclosed injury Williams was injured and subbed out in the 82nd minute of Friday's 4-0 win over Mallorca. He had three shots (one on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created bef...

Impact Despite a bevy of goals Athletic's team scored Friday, Williams was unable to join in the frenzy by scoring or directly contributing to one himself. Worse off, he suffered an undisclosed injury that prematurely ended his latest appearance. On the plus side, Athletic's team has more than a week off before being scheduled to play at Almeria on Feb. 12.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Attempts six crosses Ruiz de Galarreta registered six crosses (two accurate) and five corners in Friday's 4-0 victory against Mallorca.

Impact Despite logging an assist during his first La Liga game of 2024, the defensive midfielder's remaining January output left much to be desired. But with Athletic's first game of February, he stepped up with a handful of crosses and corners. The midfielder is back in good form and will look to prevent his January problem from recurring.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Yuri Berchiche - Surprisingly scores twice Berchiche scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Friday's 4-0 victory against Mallorca.

Impact Berchiche, who scored only one goal during each of his previous three La Liga seasons, doubled that tally Friday. By doing so, he has already tied his career-best in goals across a single season. While his goal-scoring form is not expected to continue, it is at an all-time high, and he is only one goal away from setting a new record for himself.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE