J1 league
Europa League: Different Aims For Athletic Club, Real Sociedad In Final Group Game
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.
