Coach Ernesto Valverde: Spanish clubs Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad head into their final group-stage matches of the Europa League on Thursday with slightly different objectives. Athletic host Czech side Viktoria Plzen at San Mames, currently third in the 36-team group. The Basque side only needs a draw to ensure a top-eight finish and avoid the February play-off round.
Even a defeat could still see Athletic remain in the top eight, depending on Galatasaray and Bodo/Glint - ninth and tenth at present - not winning their respective matches, reports Xinhua. Athletic enter the match after a 4-1 European loss to Besiktas - arguably their worst display of the season - and a frustrating 0-0 draw at home against Leganes, despite registering 29 shots.
Coach Ernesto Valverde remains without influential midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, while Oihan Sancet could start after returning from an ankle injury as a second-half substitute in the Leganes match. Plzen could pose a tough challenge, travelling to Bilbao with three wins in the last four Europa League outings and knowing a victory might propel it into the top eight.
