Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde is upbeat about his team’s chances of overturning their three-goal deficit against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Afrosport reports.
The Basque giants lost the first leg 3-0 at San Mames last week and have been dealt a major blow with the influential Williams brothers Inaki and Nico, ruled out of the tie.
Regardless of the tough task involved, Valverde insists his team will do everything possible in their power to turn things around.
“We should not focus on who is not here, United will miss some players as well,” he said.
“What is important now is who will be on the pitch and how we will try to overturn the result from the first leg.
“It won’t be easy of course, the score is against us and we are aware of the quality of our opponents, and that we play in their stadium. But this is football, anything can happen and we always hope for the best.”
The Spanish tactician addded: “We are here to try everything to reach the final, and the picture I have in mind is something that would reflect all that.
“I have no doubt that United’s manager is thinking exactly the same, we are picturing the same thing because we are at the threshold of a final for which both teams have been working all season.
“It looks worse for us because of how the first leg went, but this is football, and we have a match to play.”
Let’s go for it! Fight until the end!
Believe, Lions!
𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗧?
@EuropaLeague semi-final. Second Leg.
@ManUtd
Old Trafford
21:00 CEST
https://t.co/DRsYDKUiU0#MUFCAthletic #UniqueInTheWorld
pic.twitter.com/eNHqQO64jZ
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) May 8, 2025
Bilbao’s San Mames stadium will host the Europa League final on May 21.
