Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United | Europa League | Semi-Finals | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United
Manchester United face a formidable challenge as they travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semifinal at the revered San Mamés Stadium. Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club have been a force to be reckoned with on their home turf, boasting an impeccable record of six wins from six matches in this season’s Europa League campaign, with an aggregate scoreline of 14-2. Their unbeaten run in their last 10 home games across all competitions, including seven victories, underscores the daunting task awaiting Ruben Amorim’s side. The Basque outfit’s fortress-like home form, coupled with their attacking flair led by the dynamic Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, makes this a critical test for a Manchester United team desperate to salvage their season through European success. With the tie poised to set the tone for the return leg at Old Trafford, both teams will be acutely aware of the stakes as they vie for a place in the final.
Athletic Club’s dominance at San Mamés has been nothing short of remarkable, with their perfect Europa League home record this season placing them among the competition’s elite. The last team to achieve seven consecutive home wins in a single Europa League campaign was Ajax in 2016-17, a feat Athletic Club are on the cusp of emulating. Their ability to overwhelm opponents in front of their passionate supporters has been driven by a potent attacking unit, with Nico Williams emerging as a standout performer. The younger Williams brother has contributed to at least one goal in all six of Athletic’s home Europa League matches this season, amassing seven goal involvements (five goals and two assists). This places him in rare company, with only Giuseppe Rossi, Guillaume Hoarau, and Ciro Immobile having scored or assisted in seven consecutive home games in the competition’s history. His brother, Iñaki, has matched Nico’s tally of five goals, forming a formidable partnership that has terrorized defenses across Europe. However, Athletic Club face a significant setback with the injury to Oihan Sancet, their joint-fourth top scorer in La Liga with 15 goals this season. Sancet’s early exit in their recent 1-0 victory over Las Palmas due to injury is a blow, particularly given his limited output of two goals in the Europa League. Despite this, Valverde’s side remains a well-oiled machine, with their tactical discipline and home advantage making them slight favorites to establish a lead in the tie.
Manchester United, by contrast, have endured a torrid domestic campaign, with their worst-ever Premier League season casting a long shadow over Amorim’s tenure. The Red Devils have suffered 11 defeats in 23 league matches, a stark contrast to their European exploits, where they remain the only team yet to lose in the 2024-25 Europa League. Their 12-match unbeaten run in the competition, including two away wins, represents their longest streak in major European competitions since a 15-game run between November 2016 and October 2017. This resilience in Europe has been a lifeline for Amorim, whose eight-game unbeaten start in continental competitions is the longest for a Manchester United manager since Alex Ferguson’s 11-game streak. The Europa League has provided a stark contrast to United’s domestic woes, with their attacking output in the competition offering a glimmer of hope. Their 28 goals in the Europa League this season, including a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory over 10-man Lyon in the previous round, mark their highest tally since scoring 34 in 2020-21. Late goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire in that match epitomized United’s never-say-die attitude, a trait they will need in abundance against Athletic Club. However, their reliance on late heroics and inconsistent away form in the knockout stages—where they have yet to secure a victory—raises questions about their ability to withstand the pressure at San Mamés.
United’s European success has been underpinned by their attacking dynamism, with the team leading the competition in shots (222) and touches in the opposition box (458). Alejandro Garnacho has been a key figure in these metrics, his pace and directness troubling defenses throughout the campaign. However, it is captain Bruno Fernandes who is likely to be United’s talisman in Bilbao. Fernandes has been a Europa League knockout-stage juggernaut, contributing to 29 goals in 31 appearances (17 goals and 12 assists), a record unmatched in the competition. His prowess in semifinals is particularly noteworthy, with three goals and three assists in three games at this stage, trailing only Radamel Falcao, Alexandre Lacazette, and Kevin Gameiro in goal involvements. Fernandes’ ability to deliver in clutch moments will be crucial, especially given United’s injury crisis. The absence of key players such as Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee (out for the season with a thigh injury), Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, and Lisandro Martínez severely depletes Amorim’s options, placing additional pressure on Fernandes and the likes of Garnacho, Mainoo, and Rasmus Højlund to step up. The threadbare squad faces a stern test against an Athletic Club side renowned for their physicality and relentless pressing, qualities that could exploit United’s defensive vulnerabilities.
The historical context of this matchup adds further intrigue, with the two clubs having crossed paths in European competition on three occasions. Their first encounter came in the 1956-57 European Cup, where Manchester United overcame a 5-3 first-leg deficit to win 3-0 at Old Trafford, only to fall to the unstoppable Real Madrid in the semifinals. More recently, in the 2011-12 Europa League round of 16, Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Club proved too strong, securing a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford before sealing a 2-1 win in Bilbao to advance. That Athletic side went on to reach the final, only to lose 3-0 to Atlético Madrid. The clubs’ most recent meeting, a 1-1 friendly draw two years ago, saw Athletic’s Aitor Paredes sent off, while Facundo Pellistri’s last-gasp equalizer hinted at United’s knack for late drama. These encounters highlight the competitive nature of this rivalry, with Athletic Club’s home victories underscoring the challenge United face at San Mamés. For Athletic, this semifinal represents their third appearance at this stage of a European competition, having progressed from their previous two in 1976-77 (UEFA Cup) and 2011-12 (Europa League). Valverde, scarred by Barcelona’s infamous 4-3 aggregate collapse against Liverpool in the 2018-19 Champions League semifinals, will be determined to avoid complacency, ensuring his side remains focused regardless of the first-leg outcome.
As the match approaches, both managers will be acutely aware of the fine margins that could define this tie. For Valverde, the key will be harnessing Athletic Club’s home energy while compensating for Sancet’s absence, with the Williams brothers likely to shoulder the attacking burden. The Basque side’s ability to press high and exploit transitions could expose United’s depleted defense, particularly if Fernandes and company are unable to control the midfield. For Amorim, the challenge lies in balancing United’s attacking instincts with defensive solidity, a task made harder by their injury woes. The Portuguese manager may take solace in United’s European resilience, but he will need a near-perfect performance to secure a positive result in Bilbao. The outcome of this first leg will set the tone for the return fixture, with Athletic Club aiming to leverage their home advantage and United banking on their attacking firepower to keep the tie alive. For fans, the prospect of a high-octane clash between two storied clubs promises to deliver drama, goals, and moments of individual brilliance, with the San Mamés cauldron providing the perfect backdrop for a Europa League classic.
