Thursday 24 April 2025 08:15
Inaki Williams scored after five minutes as Athletic Club beat Las Palmas 1-0 in their final La Liga game before next Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg.
The Ghana international latched on to Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta’s precise curled pass and prodded past Dinko Horkas to settle proceedings early at San Mames.
Despite missing Sunday’s defeat at Real Madrid through injury, the younger Williams brother – Nico – was able to take part as a substitute, when he replaced Alex Berenguer on 65 minutes.
There is a fitness concern for the Basques, though, as leading scorer Oihan Sancet was forced off during the first period after picking up a knock.
It remains to be seen whether the attacking midfielder can take part in the game against United in a week’s time, but his absence would be a big blow for Ernesto Valverde’s men, as he’s netted 17 goals in all competitions.
Sancet left the pitch clutching his thigh.
With Barcelona playing Real Madrid in this Saturday’s Copa del Rey final, the La Liga programme was brought forward and Athletic Club have confirmed a spot in Europe with their victory over the Canary Islanders.
Athletic Club can now not be caught by Real Mallorca, who sit eighth and in the Conference League qualification spot.
The Lions are fourth and will, of course, have their eyes set on making it into the Champions League for the first time since the 2014/15 season.
One way of doing that would be to finish in La Liga’s top five, although the Basques do still have the Europa League route.
Athletic Club host the Reds in Bilbao next Thursday (1 May), before the return at Old Trafford the following week.
They’ve never won a continental title but, with the final of the competition taking place at San Mames on Wednesday 21 May, will be supremely motivated to end that particular drought this year.
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Thursday 24 April 2025 08:15
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