Athletic Club scouting report: How good are Rangers’ Europa League quarter-final opponents?

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Second leg tonight 

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Although Rangers‘ form has been anything but consistent in the Scottish Premiership this season, they have done a stellar job to make it into the last eight of the Europa League. Their last 16 victory triumph over Fenerbahçe on penalties was some achievement for a team with a squad value of just €79.5m compared to their opponent’s €235.3m. Despite Robin Propper being sent off in the first half during the first leg, Rangers held on for a goalless draw at Ibrox but they face an uphill task in the second leg.

The unique club, whom only play players with Basque-region (a small area in the north of Spain and south of France) origins, are currently fourth in the Spanish top-flight, and look a good bet to qualify for the Champions League next season. So how good are the Bilbao-based club and what should Rangers fan’s expect from their quarter-final foes? To find out more, we spoke to Transfermarkt’s LaLiga expert Iván Fuente.  

How good have Athletic Club been this season?

Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde was re-appointed manager in 2022, after briefly leaving for the Barcelona job, and this season, he has begun to really stamp his authority on the team once again. After finishing seventh in his first campaign back in charge, Athletic Club came fifth last season, and this term look set to finish in the top four. They are currently six points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal and only six points behind third-placed Atlético Madrid. Asked if he had been impressed with Athletic Club this season, Fuente said: “Yes, at least in LaLiga. In knockout tournaments they are also very good, but sometimes they struggle for consistency. Winning the Europa Leagu is their goal. The whole city dreams of reaching the final and playing it at home (the final will be played at San Mames Stadium). Bilbao have high hopes of winning its first international title this season.” 

Who is Athletic Club’s most dangerous player?

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has been linked with many of Europe’s top clubs and reportedly remains a huge target for Arsenal this summer. Fuente believes that he is one to look out for: “Williams and Oihan Sancet are their biggest talents for sure. The problem is that Sancet sometimes has ‘issues’ off the field that do not allow him to perform at his best. But that pair on their day can hurt any defence, and they will both be key if Athletic Club are to go far in this season’s competition.”

What are Athletic Club’s strengths and weaknesses?

“Athletic Club’s main strength is that they are a proper team,” explains Fuente. “Everyone works for everyone. Their defence is very solid, but above all, the speed they bring to their attack is key for them. They have a very clear style of play and are very direct. Also we have to consider that they are very, very strong in their stadium. Their weakness is that they probably don’t have a plan B in case the game doesn’t go as they had wanted. And also I think they need a more complete squad to compete in the top level.”