Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United: Europa League Semi-Final Showdown

Football fans, prepare for a high-stakes encounter at San Mamés as Athletic Club take on Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg. With history between them and everything to play for, this promises to be a classic.

📅 Match Details

Fixture: Athletic Club vs Manchester United
Competition: UEFA Europa League Semi-Final (1st Leg)
Date & Time: Thursday, 1 May 2025 | 21:00 CEST
Venue: San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)

⚔️ Form Guide: Bilbao Soaring, United Surviving

Athletic Bilbao are flying under Ernesto Valverde. Unbeaten at home in their last 10 games and 4th in La Liga, their defense has conceded just 26 goals in 33 games. In Europe, they've already dispatched Rangers and Roma.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are enduring a tough domestic campaign. Sitting 14th in the Premier League, they're unbeaten in 12 Europa League games and aiming to rescue their season with silverware.

🔙 Head-to-Head History

1956/57 European Cup: United advanced 6–5 on aggregate
2011/12 Europa League: Athletic knocked United out 5–3 on aggregate
2023 Friendly: 1–1 draw

In European competition, Athletic have won 3 of 4 competitive encounters.

📊 Key Stats & Squad Comparison

🔴 Athletic Club

Average goals scored per Europa match: 1.75
Goals conceded: 0.83
Clean sheets in 50% of Europa matches
Key Player: Nico Williams

⚫ Manchester United

Average goals scored: 2.08
Conceding average: 1.25
Clean sheets in only 17% of Europa matches
Key Player: Bruno Fernandes (36 shots, 10 on target)

⚽ Tactical Preview

Expect Bilbao to press high and play aggressively at home. With Oihan Sancet out, the focus will shift to Nico Williams’ creativity. United will likely adopt a more cautious approach, relying on Fernandes’ vision amid mounting injury concerns.

📺 How to Watch

Spain: Movistar Liga de Campeones, LaLiga TV Bar
Live Updates: As.com (minute-by-minute coverage)

🔮 Match Prediction

Prediction: Athletic Club 2–1 Manchester United

With their fortress-like home record and United’s injury issues, the Spanish side are slight favorites in this leg.

Who will edge closer to a spot in the Europa League final? Tune in tonight to find out!