Aiming to reach a Europa League final hosted at their own headquarters, Athletic Bilbao have one last hurdle to clear, as they take on Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Meeting at San Mames on Thursday evening, both the Basque side and the fallen Premier League giants will seek a lead ahead of next week’s second leg.
Match preview
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Having staged an incredible comeback to knock out Lyon in the quarter-finals, Manchester United may feel their name is on the Europa League trophy, as they aim to salvage something from an abysmal season.
Level at 2-2 after an eventful first leg in France, United took a 4-2 aggregate lead at Old Trafford before Paulo Fonseca‘s side struck back with four unanswered goals. The first two took the tie to extra time, leaving 10-man Lyon on course for a famous win, but that only set the stage for a dramatic finale: United found the net three times in the final six minutes – through Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire – to progress 7-6 on aggregate.
Previously, the English giants had strolled through the new league phase – averaging two goals per game while finishing third – before easing past Real Sociedad in the last 16.
Europa League winners eight years ago, they have now won 14 of their last 15 two-legged ties in the competition, and – for all his domestic woes – Ruben Amorim is unbeaten in eight continental games as United’s head coach.
Indeed, his team are the last one left with an undefeated record in Europe this season, having scored 28 goals along the way. They have also taken the most shots (222) and touches in the opposition area (458) of any side in UEFA’s second-tier tournament this term.
Given their lowly position in the Premier League table – only Rasmus Hojlund‘s late strike against Bournemouth stopped them losing again last weekend – Europa League success offers a backdoor route into next season’s Champions League.
However, history suggests they may struggle to get past Athletic and book a return to Bilbao: United have lost three out of four previous meetings, with their sole win coming back in February 1957.
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This will be the teams’ first clash since the 2011-12 Europa League last 16, when – under managerial maverick Marcelo Bielsa – Athletic Club won both legs and eventually reached that season’s final.
While Manchester United are preparing for their 18th European semi, Athletic have reached just their third: though they progressed from the previous two – in 1977 and 2012 – the Basque side ultimately finished runners-up each time.
They will now want to break new ground by following last year’s Copa del Rey triumph with more silverware – particularly as the decider will be held at San Mames.
Having ended the league phase one point and one place above United, Ernesto Valverde‘s men took two more steps towards destiny by beating Roma and Rangers. First, a 3-1 home win against the Italian side overturned a first-leg loss; then, after a goalless draw in Glasgow, Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams struck to win the second leg of their quarter-final.
So, en route to this late stage, Athletic have won all six of their home Europa League matches – scoring 14 goals and only conceding two in the process.
Fifth in La Liga last season, they are on track for a top-four place this term: last week’s victory over Las Palmas kept them ahead of closest rivals Villarreal and Real Betis with just five games remaining.
Granted the weekend off as Barcelona and Real Madrid played out an epic Spanish cup final, Valverde’s side now aim to make use of their extra rest and home advantage.
Between Thursday’s game and the return leg at Old Trafford lies a derby with local rivals Real Sociedad – United’s victims earlier this season – so a season-defining week awaits.
Team News
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While Manchester United are hopeful that Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Matthijs de Ligt will return to the fold this week, none of the trio are likely to be involved in the first leg.
Altay Bayindir and Ayden Heaven may also miss out again, while Diogo Dalot (calf) and Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring) have recently suffered what could be season-ending injuries; Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee.
Of the men left standing, captain Bruno Fernandes is Ruben Amorim’s first name on the teamsheet. The Portuguese playmaker has recorded 29 goal involvements from 31 Europa League knockout appearances, which represents a competition record.
While United’s skipper has an impressive record of three goals and three assists in three semi-final games, Athletic’s star man Nico Williams has played a part in at least one goal in all six Europa League fixtures at San Mames this season (five goals, two assists).
Williams junior was rested as his brother Inaki Williams scored the winner against Las Palmas last week, but the pair should be reunited on Thursday. Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi will vie to join them in the final third, but Oihan Sancet – who has racked up 18 goals from midfield – is sidelined by a thigh problem.
Set to retire at the end of this season, Oscar De Marcos is the only player remaining from the clubs’ last meeting in 2012. The 36-year-old scored in both legs of Athletic’s 5-3 aggregate win that year, but he is no longer a certain starter at right-back.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Manchester United
Manchester United may not pose much threat in the Premier League, but in Europe they are a team transformed, scoring goals right, left and centre.
However, Athletic Club boast La Liga’s best defence and are particularly tough to beat on home turf – so, the hosts should take a slim lead over to England.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
