Athletic Bilbao are “confident” ahead of their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United.
After a chaotic 5-4 win over Lyon, Manchester United will take on Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals, with the first leg taking place in Spain on Thursday, May 1st, at 8pm.
Athletic Bilbao was one of two clubs that boasted a better league phase record than United, before eliminating Roma and Rangers in the knockout rounds.
This will be the fifth competitive meeting between the two clubs, with United victorious over two legs in the 1956/57 European Cup. The Basque side got revenge 55 years later when a side led by Marcelo Bielsa beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s United 5-3 in the Europa League.
While United have struggled domestically and sit in the bottom half of the Premier League, Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao side are three points adrift of third-placed Atletico Madrid.
Ruben Amorim’s squad have shifted their focus away from domestic affairs, with the Europa League being their sole opportunity to secure Champions League football.
Athletic Bilbao ‘confident’ ahead of Man Utd clash
After suffering a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend, Athletic Bilbao got back to winning ways in La Liga with a 1-0 win over Las Palmas.
The setback against Real Madrid won’t be enough to discourage Valverde or his players before they welcome United to the San Mames Stadium.
But United know a two-leg triumph over Valverde’s team would secure a spot in the final on May 21, where they could face either Tottenham Hotspur or Bodo/Glimt.
Speaking to Athletic Bilbao’s club media after beating Las Palmas in La Liga, Valverde sent a warning message to United, stating that they are confident.
“The team are looking good, we’re in good shape,” Valverde said.
“This is what we wanted and we’re confident.”
Valverde could be without top scorer Oihan Sancet after the forward was forced off with an injury after just 22 minutes.
To make matters worse for United, Athletic Bilbao have a full week to prepare for the first-leg because they are not in action this weekend.
United have a more hectic schedule as they travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.
La Liga planning ahead for Europa League final
The Europa League final takes place in Bilbao next month.
If United were to get past Athletic, they would return to the San Mames Stadium on Wednesday, May 21.
That is less than a month away and it is understood that that La Liga are putting plans in place if Bilbao eliminates United in the semi-final.
Spanish newspaper Marca claim that La Liga have a contingency plan in place to change the schedule in the event that Athletic Bilbao reaches the Europa League final, as cited by the Manchester Evening News.
The current La Liga schedule would see Valverde’s side play Getafe on Thursday, May 15, but the authorities may move it to a day before help the team’s potential final preparations.
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