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Opinion
Alfredo RelañoNico Williams sends Athletic to the Spanish Super Cup final

Nico Williams sends Athletic to the Spanish Super Cup final

Update:

The younger of the Williams brothers looks like a promising talent as he made a clear impact after being brought on as a second half substitute with his Athletic side trailing. His introduction was instrumental in Athletics's comeback and the 19-year-old even bagged the winner with a fine finish from a corner kick. The teenager looks like a class act and finding the net seems to come to easier to him than it does with his big brother. The Basque club have seen a tradition of brothers playing for the side over the years with the Williams pair seemingly destined to impress. Sunday's Super Cup final provides another opportunity to gauge his ability and that also applies to Marcelino's side who are the current Super Cup holders.

Same blood, different national team
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Iñaki Williams (L) and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao.Pablo Garcia/RFEFRFEF

Marcelino changes pay off

The first hour of Thursday's game was poor with neither side prepared to take a risk and was played on a pitch that was starting to cut-up from the previous night's game. João Félix's goal  did liven things up though with his tame header catching Unai Simón by surprise with the keeper at fault for the opener. Marcelino made a series of changes (including the introduction of Nico) and Athletic woke-up as Atlético sat deeper and looked to hang on to their slender lead. Cholo's side looked vulnerable at corner kicks with both goals coming from Munain's boots despite Oblak's best attempts.

Soccer Football - Spanish Super Cup - Semi Final - Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia - January 13, 2022 Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone before the match REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Soccer Football - Spanish Super Cup - Semi Final - Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao - King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia - January 13, 2022 Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone before the match REUTERS/Albert GeaALBERT GEAREUTERS

Atleti head home

So, Sunday's final will see Athletic face Madrid, two iconic sides in the annals of Spanish football. Real Madrid start as favourites with Athletic looking to take encouragement from the two league meetings this season to ensure a tight and competitive final. Both Atlético and previously Barça head for home but at least the Catalan side can take refuge from a solid performance as Atlético continue to struggle with thinks simply failing to gel presently for Cholo Simeone's side. The Argentine coach said his side need to be more aggressive in both boxes, that maybe the case but at present his side are a shadow of the team they used to be.