After three succesful years in his third spell at Athletic Club, Ernesto Valverde returned Los Leones to the Champions League this season, his latest remarkable achievement with the Basque giants. Yet their return has coincided with something of a crisis of form, with one clear donominator – or so he hopes.

Athletic began the season in fine form, roaring to three straight victories that placed them joint-top of the table. San Mames was rocking, and hopes were high in Bilbao as they returned to the Champions League. Undoubtedly, getting to see Athletic live in Europe’s Premier competition, which you can work out how to do at Livefootballtickets.com, is one of the attractions of this year’s competition. Yet things have taken something of a turn since.

Athletic’s downturn without Nico Williams

Things began to go wrong when Athletic weren’t even on the pitch. Nico Williams left Spain’s game against Turkiye just before the half in the September international break, and has not returned since. With Gorka Guruzeta, Inaki Williams and Maroan Sannadi out of form in front of goal, it has turned a concern into a problem preventing Athletic from winning games.

Without the Spain international, Athletic have won just once against struggling RCD Mallorca, losing five of their last seven, and scoring an average of just 0.57 goals per game. Before the break, that average was at a round two goals per game. Beyond just the absence in the statistics, Athletic have looked lacklustre with the ball. Each chance comes at the cost of much sweat and effort, and have most often been met with morale-sapping misses.

Does resolving their injury issues resolve Athletic’s problems?

The good news is that Nico Williams has been back in training this week, as has Oihan Sancet, and is set to be available for what looks a tricky away trip to Elche. Los Ilicitanos are sitting ahead of Athletic as one of the surprises of the season, and have lost just once all year. Undoubtedly Williams’ return will have a major impact on Athletic’s offensive potential. He is one of few capable of beating a defender, his pace stretches the game, and the danger of his right foot, be it crossing or shooting, draws coverage towards him.

However, for Valverde to perch comfortably on the touchline again, now that his four-game suspension is over, his task revolves around ensuring the supporting cast improves. Even before Williams’ absence, Athletic looked less than piercing against Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano. That begins with Sancet, who has shown only glimpses of his ability, and of his goalscoring prowess this season, with fitness also hampering his progress. Williams is the obvious threat to defences, but Sancet is the one who can exploit the advantages he brings.

Beyond that, elder brother Inaki Williams has been unusually comfortable to deal with for defences this season, and his runs in behind have been less frequent. Meanwhile Guruzeta’s nouse has been lost without partners in crime to work effectively with, and Sannadi’s bullish strength has been neutralised by defences of late too. Then again, with Nico Williams, the horizon of possibilities opens up.