Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao: A Europa League Semi-Final Thriller
The UEFA Europa League 2024-25 season delivered a captivating semi-final clash between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao. This article delves into the details of their encounters, highlighting key moments, team news, and overall match analysis.
First Leg: Athletic Club 0 - 3 Manchester United
The first leg, held at San Mamés, saw Manchester United dominate Athletic Club with a decisive 3-0 victory. Here’s a breakdown of the match events:
- 30': Casemiro opened the scoring with a header, assisted by Manuel Ugarte from a set-piece situation.
- 35': Dani Vivian of Athletic Club received a red card, shifting the game's momentum further in United's favor.
- 37': Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty, extending United's lead.
- 45': Just before halftime, Bruno Fernandes scored again, assisted by Manuel Ugarte, making it 3-0.
The match saw several substitutions and yellow cards, reflecting the intense nature of the game. Key substitutions included Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount for Manchester United, and multiple changes for Athletic Club in an attempt to alter the course of the match.
According to ESPN, the match events highlighted United's clinical finishing and Athletic Club's struggle to maintain discipline after Vivian's red card.
Second Leg: Manchester United 0 - 1 Athletic Club (Agg. 3-1)
The second leg at Old Trafford saw Athletic Club putting up a stronger fight, though it wasn't enough to overturn the aggregate deficit. The match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Athletic Club, with Mikel Jauregizar scoring in the 31st minute.
Key moments from the second leg included:
- 16': A sharp save by Athletic Club's goalkeeper denied Garnacho an early goal.
- 23': A penalty check for Manchester United was turned down after a VAR review.
- 31': Mikel Jauregizar scored a stunning goal for Athletic Club, reducing the aggregate deficit.
- 43': Garnacho missed a golden opportunity, failing to convert a one-on-one chance.
The second leg also featured several substitutions and yellow cards, as both teams battled intensely. Despite Athletic Club's win on the night, Manchester United progressed to the Europa League final with a 3-1 aggregate score.
Team News and Key Players
Heading into the second leg, team news played a crucial role. Athletic Club faced significant absences, including Nico Williams, Iñaki Williams, and Dani Vivian. According to EITB, these absences significantly impacted their attacking options.
Manchester United, on the other hand, rested key players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro for the second leg, indicating their confidence in the aggregate lead.
Match Statistics and Analysis
The first leg saw Manchester United convert their chances efficiently, while Athletic Club struggled with discipline, especially after the red card. Key statistics from the first leg included:
- Manchester United goals: Casemiro (1), Bruno Fernandes (2)
- Red card: Dani Vivian (Athletic Club)
In the second leg, Athletic Club showed resilience but couldn't overcome United's strong defense and aggregate lead. Match statistics from the second leg included:
- Possession: Manchester United 52.2%, Athletic Club 47.8%
- Shots on Goal: Manchester United 0, Athletic Club 1
- Yellow Cards: Manchester United 1, Athletic Club 1
These statistics highlight Athletic Club's improved performance in the second leg, but ultimately, Manchester United's first-leg dominance secured their place in the final.
Fan Reactions and Highlights
The matches generated significant buzz among fans. Highlights from the first leg, including Casemiro's opening goal and Bruno Fernandes' penalty, were widely shared on platforms like YouTube.
Fan reactions varied, with Manchester United supporters celebrating their team's clinical performance and Athletic Club fans acknowledging the uphill battle after the first leg. The return of Nani to Old Trafford for the second leg added a nostalgic touch for many fans.
Here's a glimpse of fan excitement before the first leg, capturing the electric atmosphere:
Conclusion
The Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao Europa League semi-final was a thrilling contest filled with drama, stunning goals, and tactical battles. Manchester United's strong first-leg performance proved decisive, securing their spot in the final despite Athletic Club's valiant effort in the second leg.
Match Timeline
First Leg: Athletic Club vs. Manchester United
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 30' | Goal! Casemiro (Manchester United) header, assisted by Manuel Ugarte |
| 35' | Red Card: Dani Vivian (Athletic Club) |
| 37' | Goal! Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) penalty |
| 45' | Goal! Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), assisted by Manuel Ugarte |
Second Leg: Manchester United vs. Athletic Club
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 16' | Sharp Stop! Garnacho chance denied by Agirrezabala. |
| 23' | Penalty Check! Dorgu's appeal turned down after VAR check. |
| 31' | Goal! Mikel Jauregizar (Athletic Club) |
| 43' | Miss! Garnacho fails to convert a golden chance. |
Starting Lineups
Athletic Club (First Leg)
- Julen Agirrezabala
- Yeray
- Dani Vivian
- Yuri Berchiche
- Óscar de Marcos
- Álex Berenguer
- Mikel Jauregizar
- Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
- Maroan Sannadi
- Nico Williams
- Iñaki Williams
Manchester United (First Leg)
- André Onana
- Harry Maguire
- Leny Yoro
- Victor Lindelöf
- Manuel Ugarte
- Casemiro
- Patrick Dorgu
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Rasmus Højlund
- Bruno Fernandes
- Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United (Second Leg)
- Andre Onana
- Victor Lindelof
- Harry Maguire
- Leny Yoro
- Noussair Mazraoui
- Manuel Ugarte
- Casemiro
- Patrick Dorgu
- Bruno Fernandes
- Alejandro Garnacho
- Rasmus Hojlund
Athletic Club (Second Leg)
- Julen Agirrezabala
- Andoni Gorosabel
- Yeray Alvarez
- Unai Nunez
- Yuri Berchiche
- Mikel Jauregizar
- Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta
- Alvaro Djalo
- Unai Gomez
- Alex Berenguer
- Maroan Sannadi