A key member of the defensive ranks at Athletic Club will play no part in the club’s impending La Liga showdown with Atlético Madrid.
Athletic, of course, are currently in the process of preparing for what could prove to be a season-defining outing this weekend.
Amid their ongoing battle for a top-4 berth, Ernesto Valverde’s troops are primed to make the trip to the Wanda Metropolitano, for a showdown with the aforementioned Atlético Madrid.
With just three points separating them in 4th and 5th in the La Liga table, the outcome in Spain’s capital could prove decisive in which of the two clubs ends up plying their trade in the Champions League in 2024/25.
Safe to say that it will in turn come as a blow for all associated with Athletic to hear of an integral member of the club’s backline being ruled out for Saturday’s clash.
The player in question? Yuri Berchiche.
Veteran full-back Yuri for his part suffered an ankle injury during his side’s La Liga meeting with Granada last weekend.
And, as confirmed in a statement across Athletic Club’s website and social media platforms this evening, as much has proven enough to condemn the 34-year-old to a spell on the sidelines:
“The player Yuri Berchiche is out due to a traumatic injury to the posterior tibial artery as a result of the contusion caused to his right ankle by the tackle received in the Athletic-Granada match, which forced him to be replaced in the 70th minute.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
