Deciding Bilbao's fate at Old Trafford

An unbelievable 0-3 home defeat a week ago almost closed the door on Bilbao's progress to the Europa League final.

The fight for survival

The Spanish side have not reached the final of a European Cup for 13 years and it looks like they will have to wait at least another season to hope to fulfil their dream. Things got worse for Bilbao when they conceded three goals and had a defender sent off in the first half of their semi-final first leg.

If you know that coach Ernesto Valverde's team won all 6 previous Europa League matches at San Mames, as well as never lost at home in more than 8 months in all competitions, you can see how bad the stumble against Man United was. Man United currently have no hope in domestic competitions, especially the Premier League, so Bilbao cannot expect the Old Trafford team to play with ease in the second leg.

Last weekend, coach Ruben Amorim even "kept" up to 8 key players, accepting a painful 3-4 loss to Brentford with the determination to focus on the survival battle with Bilbao. "Theatre" Old Trafford nearly 3 weeks ago witnessed one of the most dramatic matches in Europa League history. "The Red Devils" had a miraculous comeback to win 5-4 against Lyon and advance to the semi-finals. Returning to home ground this time for the decisive battle for the ticket to the final, Man United knows what to do to continue to nurture hope, avoiding facing a disastrous season.

Man United determined to win ticket to Europa League final. (Photo: MAN UNITED FC)

No room for complacency

As long as they don't lose, they will automatically qualify for the next round, but Man United cannot risk their fate. Many teams have paid a high price for hesitating between winning and accepting a draw, only to end up empty-handed. Coach Ruben Amorim's loud warning that Bilbao could win 3-0 in the second leg was to prevent his players from being complacent.

Without the attacking duo Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams while central defender Dani Vivian is suspended, both Bilbao's offense and defense are really having problems at the moment. If coach Valverde does not make appropriate adjustments, Bilbao's difficulties will become even more difficult. In round 34 of La Liga last weekend, the Basque team was held to a 0-0 draw by Sociedad, seriously threatening their fourth place and their ticket to next season's Champions League.

On the other hand, both former and current captains Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes are currently prominent figures in the "Red Devils". Bruno Fernandes has now contributed 7 goals and is still exploding in the role of leading the team's play. Maguire is now shining as a winger, even a spearhead of the attack. The impressive form of both is "pulling" the entire Man United train to an unbeaten record in the Europa League this season.

European Cup history shows that 133 teams who have won the first leg of a knockout round by three goals away from home have gone on to progress. United will hope they are no exception, partly because of the convincing performance they showed in Bilbao last week.

If there are no earth-shattering surprises on the morning of May 9 at Old Trafford, Man United will be in the Europa League final for the first time in 4 years, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still in charge in the 2020-2021 season.

The opportunity for Man United to touch a European Cup title is very large, thereby indirectly bringing them back to the Champions League arena next season. For 8 seasons, the "Red Devils" have not once set foot on the highest victory podium outside the borders of England.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/dinh-doat-so-phan-bilbao-tai-old-trafford-19625050721592876.htm