Latest news with #UnaiSimon
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nico Williams leads Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in their Spanish league opener
MADRID (AP) — With transfer rumors in the past, Nico Williams led Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in its opening Spanish league match on Sunday. Williams, who had been linked with a move to Barcelona in the offseason but seems set to stay with his boyhood club, put the hosts ahead by converting a 36th-minute penalty kick. Athletic, coming off a fourth-placed finish last season, added to the lead with a goal from Maroan Sannadi in the 43rd before Sevilla rallied with goals by Dodi Lukebakio in the 60th and Lucien Agoume in the 72nd. Robert Navarro put Athletic back in front for good by scoring in the 81st. Goalkeeper Unai Simon helped the hosts secure the victory as Sevilla pressed forward to the end. It was Athletic's first match with Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams' older brother, as its main captain — a first for a Black player at the club that traditionally only fields players from Spain's northern Basque Country region or adjoining areas. Atletico Madrid, the third-placed finisher last season, played at Espanyol later Sunday. Barcelona began the defense of its Spanish league title with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday. Real Madrid hosts Osasuna on Tuesday Depleted Getafe wins away Getafe got off to a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo with second-half goals from Adrián Liso and Christantus Uche. The Madrid club had a depleted squad after not being able to register many of its new players because of financial fair play regulations. It was a disappointing start for Celta after a season in which it finished in the European places. On Friday, Rayo Vallecano won at Girona 3-1 and Villarreal defeated promoted Oviedo 2-0. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Nico Williams leads Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in their Spanish league opener
MADRID (AP) — With transfer rumors in the past, Nico Williams led Athletic Bilbao to a 3-2 win over Sevilla in its opening Spanish league match on Sunday. Williams, who had been linked with a move to Barcelona in the offseason but seems set to stay with his boyhood club, put the hosts ahead by converting a 36th-minute penalty kick. Athletic, coming off a fourth-placed finish last season, added to the lead with a goal from Maroan Sannadi in the 43rd before Sevilla rallied with goals by Dodi Lukebakio in the 60th and Lucien Agoume in the 72nd. Robert Navarro put Athletic back in front for good by scoring in the 81st. Goalkeeper Unai Simon helped the hosts secure the victory as Sevilla pressed forward to the end. It was Athletic's first match with Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams' older brother, as its main captain — a first for a Black player at the club that traditionally only fields players from Spain's northern Basque Country region or adjoining areas. Atletico Madrid, the third-placed finisher last season, played at Espanyol later Sunday. Barcelona began the defense of its Spanish league title with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday. Real Madrid hosts Osasuna on Tuesday Depleted Getafe wins away Getafe got off to a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo with second-half goals from Adrián Liso and Christantus Uche. The Madrid club had a depleted squad after not being able to register many of its new players because of financial fair play regulations. It was a disappointing start for Celta after a season in which it finished in the European places. On Friday, Rayo Vallecano won at Girona 3-1 and Villarreal defeated promoted Oviedo 2-0. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Club star slams Barcelona vs Villarreal match in Miami – ‘Lack of respect for the fans'
Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon has made his stance clear regarding the decision to host the La Liga clash between Villarreal and Barcelona in the United States. The match, scheduled for 20 December at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, has already sparked heavy debate within Spanish football. Real Madrid were the first to voice their opposition after the Spanish federation approved the game being moved abroad. Their official statement was strong, warning of 'all kinds of measures to prevent the competition from being adulterated.' Now, one of Athletic's most respected figures has joined the criticism, even as his club maintains an official silence on the matter. Defending the fans When asked for his opinion, Simon did not mince words. 'It's a lack of respect for the fans. It's something that would seem wrong to me at Athletic and at any other club,' he said, making it clear that his loyalty lies with the supporters. STUTTGART, GERMANY – JUNE 05: Unai Simon of Spain reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 05, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by) Simon spoke passionately about the role of supporters, stressing that football belongs to them as much as to the players. 'Football is not only part of the members and fans, but it is the people who have brought us to where we are. If it weren't for them, football wouldn't exist,' he stated. Villarreal president Juan Roig has promised to cover the travel expenses for fans who want to make the trip to Miami, but Simon believes this misses the bigger point. 'If it were Athletic's turn to go to Miami, I don't see it. Although in the end the club pays for the trip and the ticket, there are many fans who cannot make that trip. 'For them, it is a lost day, a day that they are left without seeing their players live,' he argued. Simon also shared his thoughts on teammate Nico Williams, whose summer was marked by failed negotiations with Barcelona before committing his future to Athletic. 'At Athletic, you can also be a top world player. Beyond staying after renewing, when you prioritise Athletic over other top clubs, it means that the sporting project we have at the club and the impact it has is spoken of very well,' he said. Source: Mundo Deportivo
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'One of Europe's best technicians' - why Man City want 'genius' Cherki
If the casual football fan wasn't already familiar with the name Rayan Cherki, they certainly are Thursday night, videos of his incredible goal during France's 5-4 defeat by Spain in the Uefa Nations League semi-final went controlling a bobbling pass and setting himself up in one touch, the 21-year-old rifled a hip-height volley on the swivel past Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon at full stretch. You just don't see instinctive goals like that very often, certainly not from a player 15 minutes into his senior international is one of the most sought after talents in world football right now and could soon be heading to the Premier League as Manchester City want the Lyon midfielder as part of their summer squad player will soon enter the final year of his contract, but Lyon have reportedly rejected City's opening offer of 30m euros (£25.3m)., externalBut who exactly is Cherki, and why is everyone so excited about him? 'An absolute master, a wizard with the ball' - who is the magical Frenchman Cherki is only the latest talent fresh off the Lyon production line, but may be the best joined Lyon at the age of seven from AS Saint-Priest and, aged 16 years and 140 days, Cherki became the youngest goalscorer in the Ligue 1 side's history in a French Cup tie back in January that in November 2019, a Champions League debut came against Zenit, while he also helped France reach the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championships in 2023. Previously linked with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, in 2020 he admitted to Lyon TV "my dream is to play for Real Madrid".His footballing idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, can play as a winger but his preference is a more central number 10 has just enjoyed a break-out campaign in Ligue 1, providing 11 assists, 22 big chances - the most in the league - 13 through-balls and 48 successful dribbles. A return of 12 goals in all competitions is by far the best of his short career, but it is his work and understanding of the game off the ball that has arguably improved the most this football expert Julien Laurens, speaking on the Euro Leagues podcast, said: "He has been incredible this season. Since he was 16 - even before that - the talent is there, left foot or right foot."A player at this level who takes corners with each foot depending on which side of the corner it is, to be an inswinger every time is just incredible."He is one of the greatest technicians in Europe right now."The stats support Cherki's ambipedal qualities. Of the 44 shots he took with his feet in Ligue 1 last season, 22 came with the left and 22 with the growing reputation was only enhanced by Thursday's stunning international debut on Thursday against Spain, where he sparked France's comeback from 5-1 days later he made his full international debut as Les Bleus beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League third-place certainly isn't Cherki's only legend Thierry Henry has previously said he has "never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him", while Lyon's captain Alexandre Lacazette described him as "special".The former Arsenal striker added: "This season, he has managed to raise his level. I would put [Mesut] Ozil in a different category but, with time, Rayan can get close to him."Cherki, also part of the France squad that finished runners-up at the 2024 Olympics, scored in both legs for Lyon against Manchester United in a Europa League quarter-final defeat last to BBC Sport in April about him, Lyon's former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: "He is the best natural talent I've ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball."He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius." How would Cherki fit in? Pep Guardiola wants to have Cherki in his squad next season, but how would he fit in at Manchester City?The Premier League club have wasted no time in strengthening after enduring their worst campaign since Guardiola took charge nine years ago.A £46.3m deal has been agreed with AC Milan for Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while a £31m move for Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri will be completed Reijnders capable of playing anywhere in midfield, Cherki would likely play in an advanced role just behind Erling traditionally prefers his midfielders to keep the ball and be patient rather than play in a direct, transitional style. However, he now has a Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole to fill following the Belgian's could also be deployed on the right wing, with wide players Jeremy Doku and Savinho struggling for consistency last season and Jack Grealish open to leaving the an exciting time for a player who may, in the space of seven days, go from making his international debut to joining one of the world's best said, he clearly isn't getting ahead of himself."It's getting done," said Cherki on the transfer situation after his cameo against Spain. "But you already know my answer, everybody knows."
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WATCH: Two quickfire goals have Spain 2-0 up on France in UEFA Nations League clash
Spain and France are competing to face Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final, and right now, it is La Roja that are favourites to reach the showpiece event after scoring twice in quick succession in the first half of their semi-final clash in Stuttgart. It has been a fluid start to proceedings in Germany, with both teams looking good in an attacking sense. France had a big chance early on to score as Unai Simon denied Kylian Mbappe, and they have now been made to pay. Advertisement On 22 minutes, Spain took the lead courtesy of Nico Williams, whose future has been widely speculated upon in recent weeks. The Athletic Club winger smashed the ball past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan after fine play from Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal. And four minutes later, La Roja doubled their advantage courtesy of Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino. Spain are determined to defend the title they won two years ago, and as things stand, they will have the opportunity to do so against Portugal this weekend. But there is still a long way to go in this one.
