Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has spoken about Nico Williams’ fitness after he picked up a problem during the recent international break (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Williams looked lively in the opening half against Turkey, showing speed and sharp movement down the flank.
However, he felt pain in his groin and was forced to leave the pitch in the 41st minute. Ferran Torres replaced him and subsequently scored.
Tests to determine the extent
De la Fuente described the setback as ‘an unfortunate situation’ and admitted that further medical checks are needed.
“Unfortunately, this situation is a shame,” he said. “He has a slight discomfort in his groin, and he has to undergo tests tomorrow, but it seems to be a muscular problem.”
Spain’s medical staff will assess the winger to determine the severity of the issue.
This development is expected to cause concern for Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde, whose side meets Alaves this weekend.
They face Arsenal at the San Mames Stadium in the opening fixture of their Champions League campaign next week.
Williams now faces a battle to regain full fitness in time for these key matches, with his presence likely to be decisive for Bilbao’s ambitions.
He recently signed a new contract to extend his stay in Bilbao, despite strong interest from Barcelona earlier in the summer.
