Nico Williams names two Roma stars who could trouble Athletic Club | OneFootball

Spain international and Athletic Club star Nico Williams has named his three favourite Italian players and has pointed to two Roma stars who could cause issues for his side when they meet in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Giallorossi will host Athletic Club at the Stadio Olimpico for the first of their two-legged Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday night. The two sides will meet again a week later at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

Roma face a tough challenge against an Athletic Club side that have been almost flawless in the Europa League this term. The Basque outfit finished second at the end of the league phase, level on points with the table-topping Lazio with a record of six wins, one draw and one loss.

Nico Williams on favourite Roma and Italy players

Nico Williams is expected to play a pivotal role against Roma, but he feels that the Giallorossi will provide a tough test, particularly given their run of impressive form since Claudio Ranieri took over.

“Roma has changed coach again, and now they’re doing very well, they’ve won four in a row,” the 22-year-old said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“They’re a strong, physical team that has players of great quality,” he continued.

epa11832091 Paulo Dybala of Roma jubilates after the goal 3-1 during the Italian Serie A soccer match AS Roma vs Genoa CFC at Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 17 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

“Someone like Dybala can solve the game at any point, and it’s not just him. Angelino is an excellent player who has great numbers in terms of goals and assists, so we will have to be careful on that side. They are two ‘cracks’.”

The Pink Paper went on to ask the Spain international if he had any favourite Roma players, to which he replied: “Totti, it’s impossible not to talk about him.”

epa03286781 Italy’s Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring the 2-0 lead during the semi final match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Germany and Italy in Warsaw, Poland, 28 June 2012. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT UEFA Terms and Conditions apply https://www.epa.eu/downloads/UEFA-EURO2012-TCS.pdf

And when asked if he has any other favourites from Italy, Williams replied “Federico Chiesa. He did great things in June, he was someone I watched carefully. I liked him very much. And first is Balotelli. At the time of the Euros, my brother and I did our hair in a mohawk like him. We loved him.”