Athletic Club have confirmed their 24-man squad for the crucial second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, as they attempt to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit. The Spanish side will travel to Manchester with hopes of a dramatic comeback, spurred on by the presence of nearly 4,000 supporters at Old Trafford when the match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Thursday.
However, their preparations have been heavily affected by a string of key absences. Star forwards Nico and Iñaki Williams have both been ruled out—Nico is still struggling with a groin issue, while Iñaki has failed to recover from a hamstring injury. Adding to the blow, top scorer Oihan Sancet has not managed to regain fitness in time for the tie. Defensive options are also depleted as Dani Vivian will miss the game due to suspension after receiving a red card in the first leg.
In a bid to bolster the squad, head coach Ernesto Valverde has called up youngsters Aingeru Olabarrieta, Iker Varela, and Alejandro Rego. The team is expected to arrive in England on Wednesday, with Valverde addressing the media at a scheduled press conference. He expressed regret over the absence of some of his most influential players but stressed the importance of focusing on those available. According to him, every player in the lineup must be fully fit, and while the missing names are a blow, the team has to push forward with the resources they have.
Despite the odds, Athletic remain determined to put in a spirited performance in what could be their biggest game of the season.
