El Correo cites Yeray, Prados losses

El Correo said on May 20 that Athletic Club’s late-season collapse was not a sudden event but the result of physical problems that had accumulated since September. The Bilbao newspaper linked the downturn to a chain of injuries and recurring fitness issues that, in its account, steadily reduced Ernesto Valverde’s options before the final weeks of the season. (elcorreo.com) The article singled out three cases in particular: centre-back Yeray, midfielder Beñat Prados and Nico Williams. It said the latest stretch — four defeats and one draw in two weeks — turned a difficult season into what El Correo described as a “desplome,” or collapse. (elcorreo.com) ### Which absences did El Correo identify as the clearest blows? El Correo identified Yeray and Beñat Prados as key losses in the final phase of the campaign, alongside a recurrence of Nico Williams’ pubalgia. The paper presented those absences as decisive because they affected three different parts of the team at once: central defense, midfield balance and attacking threat. (elcorreo.com) Nico Williams had already become a separate injury story before the latest analysis. El Correo’s player page shows reports published on May 11 and May 12 saying the winger would not play again for Athletic this season as he raced to be fit for the World Cup. (elcorreo.com) ### Why did Beñat Prados matter so much in this account? Athletic Club’s own medical report from May 9, 2025 said Beñat Prados was forced off shortly after coming on against Manchester United in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final. The club said he suffered an incised-contuse injury to the front of his right leg after what it described as a hard tackle. (elcorreo.com) El Correo’s analysis treated Prados’ absence as part of a broader pattern rather than an isolated setback. The paper argued that Athletic had been dealing with instability in selection and fitness since September, and that the loss of a regular midfield option became more damaging as results worsened in May. (elcorreo.com) ### How does Nico Williams fit into the late-season slide? Nico Williams’ case was presented by El Correo as a recurrence rather than a new issue. The paper said his pubalgia resurfaced during the run-in, removing one of Athletic’s main attacking outlets at a point when the team was already struggling for rhythm and results. (athletic-club.eus) Other recent coverage around Nico has also centered on fitness. El Correo reported on May 12 that he would miss the rest of Athletic’s season, while separate reports in recent months described a persistent pubalgia problem that had already disrupted his campaign. (elcorreo.com) ### What did the results look like during the drop-off? El Correo’s analysis used a two-week sequence of four defeats and one draw as the clearest evidence of the decline. On its Athletic section front page, the newspaper also described the season’s finish as an unprecedented drop in league points from one year to the next and said the team closed the campaign “lleno de dudas,” or full of doubts. (elcorreo.com) Those results left Athletic’s final weeks focused less on recovery than on damage limitation. El Correo’s recent coverage has framed the end of the season around missed objectives, supporter frustration and the club’s need to rebuild parts of the squad, especially in midfield. (elcorreo.com) ### What comes next for Athletic and the injured players? Real Madrid host Athletic Club in the final league weekend, according to match previews and recent coverage around the club’s close to the season. Nico Williams is already reported out for the rest of Athletic’s campaign, with attention shifting to his recovery timetable before Spain’s World Cup preparations. (elcorreo.com) El Correo’s latest Athletic coverage has also turned toward the next squad decisions, including possible midfield reinforcement after the season ends. The immediate next step, though, is the final matchday, with Athletic closing the campaign after the injury-hit run that El Correo traced back to September. (elcorreo.com 1) (elcorreo.com 2)