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Nico Williams, Athletic Club's fast winger, is one of the biggest offensive threats in LaLiga and the Spanish National Team. With a unique ability to overwhelm, his speed and dribbling make him a headache for opposing defenses. Faced with the imminent duel between Athletic and Real Madrid in San Mamés, Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff have designed a tactical plan to minimize its impact.
Nico Williams: The constant threat
At just 21 years old, Nico Williams has established himself as one of the greatest promises in Spanish football. His ability to off-balance is impressive, and the statistics back it up.
The numbers that support its influence:
- Top speed: In the last Euro Cup, he reached a top of 35.8 km/h, being the second fastest of the Spanish National Team.
- Dribbles: He is the First Division player who attempts the most dribbles, with an average of 11.9 per game.
- Success: Although his effectiveness on the dribble (44.4%) places him as the fifth best in this section, his insistence makes him a constant danger.
Furthermore, Nico not only seeks individual overflow, but is also a great game generator. With five assists so far this season, he leads this area in Athletic along with De Marcos and Berenguer.
Ancelotti's strategy to neutralize him
Aware of the threat posed by Nico Williams, Carlo Ancelotti and his son Davide have worked hard to develop an effective defensive strategy.
Valverde as a key piece:
The Uruguayan will be fundamental in containment. His versatility allows him to play as a right back or defensive midfielder, roles from which he can assist Lucas Vázquez in creating a “dam” to stop Nico.
- Double marking: The tactic points to a two-on-one scheme, where Valverde supports Lucas in defensive actions.
- Previous experience: This type of approach already paid off in the Classic, where Bellingham helped neutralize Raphinha.
Raúl Asencio's contribution:
The young centre-back will also have a crucial role in guarding Nico. Asencio, who works in the area where the red and white winger operates, will be key to anticipating his movements and cutting passing lines.
- Aerial play and anticipation: Asencio has stood out not only for his defensive ability, but also for his reading of the game, which makes him an additional obstacle for Nico.
The challenge posed by San Mamés
The Athletic Club stadium is known for its impressive atmosphere and unconditional support for the home team. For Real Madrid, playing at San Mamés always represents a challenge, and containing Nico Williams will be crucial to aspire to a positive result.
Additional factors:
- Red and white confidence: Athletic is coming off an important victory against Rayo Vallecano, where Nico shone with a masterful assist.
- White urgency: Madrid needs to score points to stay in the fight for the title, which increases the pressure on its defensive system.
Stopping Nico Williams will be a herculean task for Real Madrid, but the combination of Ancelotti's tactical experience, Valverde's solidity and Asencio's vigilance could make the difference. With one of the greatest promises of Spanish football on the field and a vibrant San Mamés as a backdrop, this duel promises to be one of the highlights of the day. Will Madrid be able to contain the unbalanced winger or will Nico be the one who sets the tone in “La Catedral”?
