BASQUE BATTLE AWAITS: ATHLETIC CLUB AND RANGERS FIGHT FOR SEMI-FINAL SPOT

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Athletic Club v Rangers (aggregate score: 0-0) April 17, 2025

The historic San Mamés stadium, known as "The Cathedral" among Basque football fans, prepares to host a decisive European night as Athletic Club welcome Rangers for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final. With everything to play for after a tense 0-0 draw at Ibrox, both teams will be aiming to write a new chapter in their storied European histories.

For Athletic Club, the home advantage could prove decisive. The Basque side boasts the only perfect home record in this season's Europa League, winning all five of their matches at San Mamés. A victory on Thursday would set a new club record, as they've never previously won six home games in a single European campaign, only managing five under both Koldo Aguirre in 1976-77 and Marcelo Bielsa in 2011-12.

"San Mamés will be a cauldron," promised Athletic's coach. "Our fans understand the importance of this match and the opportunity we have to reach a European semi-final."

However, history suggests Athletic will need to be wary of the first-leg draw. On the last five occasions they've drawn the first leg of a major European tie, they've been eliminated each time. The last time Athletic progressed after a first-leg draw was nearly 50 years ago, in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup semi-final against RWD Molenbeek (1-1 first leg, 0-0 second leg, progressing on away goals).

Rangers arrive in Bilbao with their own reason for optimism. The Scottish giants ended a 56-year winless run in Spain when they defeated Real Betis 3-2 earlier in this campaign, having previously gone 13 away games without victory on Spanish soil between 1962 and 2018.

The Glasgow side have been impressive travelers in this season's Europa League, with only Lyon (13) scoring more away goals than Rangers (11). Their three away victories are second only to Lazio (4), and a win at San Mamés would set a new club record of four away triumphs in a single European campaign.

Rangers' captain James Tavernier continues to set records for the club. He has now played 62 major European matches for the Gers, level with club legend John Greig, with only Allan McGregor (78) making more appearances. Tavernier also holds the distinction of being the Englishman with the most appearances in UEFA Europa League history (58 – 56 for Rangers, 2 for Newcastle).

The two clubs have limited history against each other, with their only previous meeting in Bilbao resulting in a 2-0 victory for Athletic in the Fairs Cup in April 1969. Athletic have actually only hosted Scottish opposition on three occasions, winning all three – that match against Rangers and two games against Dunfermline in 1965.

One of the night's subplots will see Athletic veteran Óscar De Marcos potentially make history. The versatile right-back could make his 58th major European appearance for Athletic, which would see him overtake former teammate Markel Susaeta (57) for the most in club history.

For Rangers, goal-scoring form has become a concern at the worst possible time. After finding the net in each of their first nine Europa League matches this season and scoring 19 goals, they've now failed to score in their last two games despite registering 27 shots.

"We've created chances but just haven't been clinical enough," admitted Rangers' manager. "Against a team like Athletic, we know we might only get a few opportunities, and we'll need to take them."

With the reward of a Europa League semi-final place at stake, Thursday's clash between two of Europe's most historically significant clubs promises to be a tense and atmospheric occasion at San Mamés.

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data. Photo: source XYZ