Athletic Bilbao vs Schalke 04 Preview match: UEFA-Europa League 2011/12

April 5, 2012 8:05 PM BST
Estadio San Mamés — Bilbao

Team News

Athletic Bilbao

 

Ander Iturraspe is suspended after receiving his 3rd yellow card of the season in the Europa League last time out. Oscar De Marcos has been played in defensive midfield fairly often this season, and so he should fill in there, with Ander coming in behind Fernando Llorente. Javi Martinez may also play in midfield. Llorente has been struggling with a niggle recently and was rested for a full hour in the defeat at Barcelona at the weekend, so he should be fresh to start here. Coach Marcelo Bielsa is still without the injured Carlos Gurpegi, while Igor Martinez is a serious doubt.

probable lineups : Iraizoz, Aurtenetxe, Jose, Amorebieta, Iraola, Marcos, Martinez, Muniain, Ander, Susaeta, Llorente. (4-2-3-1).  

 

Schalke 04

 

 With Timo Hildebrand rated as doubtful with an elbow injury, along with first choice keepers Lars Unnerstall and Ralf Fahrmann, 4th choice keeper Mathias Schober will start between the posts. Benedikt Howedes has not played in nearly 4 weeks, and was thought to be nearing a return this weekend, but did not make a comeback. He is likely to miss out once again. With his side in need of goals from the off, Stevens will undoubtedly field an attack-minded lineup, but that may not necessarily mean any changes from his usual XI.

 

probable lineups : Schober, Uchida, Matip, Papadopoulos, Fuchs, Holtby, Jones, Farfan, Raul, Draxler, Huntelaar. (4-2-3-1).

Head to Head

Match Facts

Athletic Bilbao have won their last 4 matches in UEFA Europa League.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Athletic Bilbao's last 7 games in UEFA Europa League.

Athletic Bilbao have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Europa League.

Schalke 04 have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Europa League.

Athletic Bilbao have conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches in UEFA Europa League. 

 

Athletic Bilbao

Mar 31, 2012	FC Barcelona 2 - Athletic Bilbao 0	LIGA
Mar 29, 2012	Schalke 04 2 - Athletic Bilbao 4	EL
Mar 25, 2012	Athletic Bilbao 1 - Sporting de Gijon 1	LIGA
Mar 21, 2012	Atletico Madrid 2 - Athletic Bilbao 1	LIGA
Mar 18, 2012	Athletic Bilbao 0 - Valencia CF 3	LIGA

 

Schalke 04

Apr 1, 2012	Hoffenheim 1 - Schalke 04 1	GER1
Mar 29, 2012	Schalke 04 2 - Athletic Bilbao 4	EL
Mar 24, 2012	Schalke 04 2 - Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0	GER1
Mar 18, 2012	1. FCK 1 - Schalke 04 4	GER1
Mar 15, 2012	Schalke 04 4 - Twente 1	EL

 

UEFA Europa League ‎

Mar 29, 2012

Schalke 04 2 - Athletic Bilbao 4

 

Prediction 

Athletic produced a quite incredible 'smash-and-grab' win in Gelsenkirchen last week. They did not perform anywhere near as well as they did in beating Manchester United in the previous round, but still picked up a fantastic away victory, through extremely clinical finishing on the night. Scoring four away goals is a huge step towards the semi-finals, but Bielsa will make sure his team know that the job is only half complete.

 

Schalke have to score at least 3 goals to stand a chance of progressing, and if they concede at all they will have to score at least 4 times. They have, however, produced plenty of goal-filled performances this season, scoring at least 3 goals 5 times already this season in the Europa League, as well as plenty more times in domestic competition. They could also take hope from the fact that only a few games ago, Bilbao put in an abject performance at home, losing 3-0 to Valencia.

 

However, Marcelo Bielsa is a meticulous manager who will not allow his side to crumble like they did in that game, and even though it will be difficult to stop Schalke scoring, they should be able to contain the Germans, and may even grab a goal or two themselves, which would kill off the tie.

Athletic Bilbao  2 - 2  Schalke 04