Athletic Club of Bilbao welcomes back Iñaki Williams for the final stretch of pre-season, just ahead of their league debut against Sevilla FC on August 22. The forward has returned after his holiday and is already training with the group.
Sevilla FC is already aware of the preparation schedule of their first league rival, Athletic Club, who are finalising their readiness with an eye on the championship kick-off on August 22. The Bilbao team has received significant news in the form of a return: Iñaki Williams has rejoined training after enjoying a three-week holiday.
The Spanish-Ghanaian forward, who participated with his national team in the World Cup in Qatar until the round of 16, where they were eliminated by Colombia, has already completed his first session with the group in Lezama. According to club sources, the player showed good physical condition and was one of the highlights of a rainy morning at the red-and-white sports complex.
Athletic, managed by Edin Terzic, has been increasing the intensity of their pre-season matches. After thrashing lower-division teams like Derio (0-3), Leioa (0-11), and Sestao River (0-2), and drawing against Eibar (2-2) in a more significant match, the Biscay side now faces two commitments against Racing de Santander in Laredo (Wednesday, 19:00) and Burgos in El Plantío (Saturday, 19:00).
The return of Williams provides a boost ahead of the tougher tests ahead: Athletic is set to face Olympique de Marseille on August 9 and Atalanta on August 14, two top-level European rivals that will serve as a gauge for the team's fitness ahead of the league start.
In Monday's session, Williams began working in the midfield alongside Vesga, Djaló, and Vivian, before moving to the outside. Gorosabel, on the other hand, stopped after a five-minute jog, while Yeray joined the main group later. The presence of World Cup champions with Spain, Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte, and Nico Williams, is expected in Lezama around August 10, which will add quality to Athletic's training sessions.
For Sevilla FC, who are finalising their own pre-season under the guidance of their new coach, the match on August 22 at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán presents a demanding league debut. The Nervión side continues to work on shaping their squad and on physical and tactical preparation, aware that Athletic is always a tough opponent at the start of the season.
The return of Iñaki Williams, one of the most influential players for Athletic in recent years, adds a dangerous factor for Sevilla's defence. The forward, with his speed and ability to break through, is one of the main offensive weapons of the Bilbao team, which will seek to start the league on the right foot in the Nervión fortress.
Sevilla FC fans should keep an eye on Athletic's performance in these final friendlies, as the form of Williams and his teammates will determine their readiness for the clash on the 22nd. Meanwhile, the Seville team continues its preparation with its sights set on that first official commitment of the season.
The match between Sevilla and Athletic, corresponding to the first round of LaLiga, will take place on Thursday, August 22 at 21:30 at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium. It will be the starting gun for both teams in a season where Sevilla aims to improve on their previous campaign and fight for European spots.
You may also like
