La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla went head-to-head at San Mames on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Both teams had opportunities in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough in the opening half of action.
Aritz Aduriz sent Bilbao ahead in the 48th minute with a close-range header, but their lead lasted just eight minutes, with Timothee Kolodziejczak levelling for the holders.
Sevilla then found a second in the 83rd minute when Vicente Iborra converted from a Kevin Gameiro pass.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Spain as domestic rivals Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla go head-to-head in the first leg of their quarter-final. This competition has been kind to Sevilla in recent years and this season, they are attempting to become the first team since Bayern Munich in the 1975-76 campaign to win three consecutive editions of a UEFA competition!
Somewhat surprisingly, Bilbao and Sevilla have never met in Europe, but they have clashed on 158 occasions in Spanish football. Sevilla just lead the head-to-head record with 64 victories to Bilbao's 63, but Bilbao have actually won eight of their 15 cup ties – losing five times in the process. There is an added spice when domestic rivals clash in Europe, as Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou earlier this week showed all too well!
The two teams have, of course, also met in the league this season and a double from Kevin Gameiro, who starts tonight (team news spoiler), saw Sevilla record a 2-0 victory at the Estadio Ramon in January. The reverse match at San Mames is scheduled for the last weekend of the campaign, but Sevilla lost 1-0 when they last travelled to this stadium, which was in November 2014.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from San Mames. Who have Ernesto Valverde and Unai Emery placed their faith in tonight? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
BILBAO: Herrerin; De Marcos, Etxeita, Boveda, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat, Eraso; Muniain, Aduriz, Williams
SEVILLA: Soria; Coke, Kolo, Rami, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, N'Zonzi; Vitolo, Banega, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro
Bilbao are without the services of suspended midfielder Raul Garcia and injured centre-back Aymeric Laporte tonight, but Inaki Williams has returned to the starting lineup for the hosts. Williams joins Iker Muniain and Bilbao's top scorer Aritz Aduriz in attack, while Eneko Boveda starts at centre-back. Markel Susaeta and Ander Iturraspe will both start on the bench for the Basque outfit.
As for Sevilla, Fernando Llorente – the all-time European competition top scorer for Bilbao (16 goals) – is only on the bench on his return to San Mames. Kevin Gameiro has been picked to lead the line ahead of the Spaniard, while there is a surprise in goal as 23-year-old David Soria makes just his second appearance of the season in place of number one Sergio Rico. Michael Krohn-Dehli and Vitolo, meanwhile, are preferred out wide to Jose Antonio Reyes and Yevhen Konoplyanka, who start on the bench.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in the Basque country. I shall speak about the holders Sevilla a little bit later, but let's start with Bilbao, who will be looking to continue their unbeaten European home record this season. Indeed, the Basque club have won five of their seven European games at San Mames this term.
Bilbao have never won this particular competition under the UEFA Cup or the updated Europa League name, but they have reached the final on two previous occasions. They were beaten by Italian giants Juventus in 1977 and also lost 3-0 to Atletico Madrid in the 2012 final. This is their first quarter-final appearance since the 2011-12 campaign, however, and if they can overcome the holders Sevilla, Valverde will certainly fancy his team's chances of making the final for a third time.
Bilbao comfortably progressed from Group L to make the knockout round of the competition, collecting 13 points from their six matches to finish four points clear of second-place Augsburg. They faced French outfit Marseille in the round of 32 and ensured their progression with a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Ligue 1 outfit, which included an impressive 1-0 win in France on February 18.
Gary Neville's Valencia side were waiting in the round of 16 and although Bilbao lost the second leg 2-1 at the Mestalla, a 1-0 win on home soil was enough to send the Basque side through on away goals. They have not actually won in the league since losing that second leg at Valencia, however, and will enter this match off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Granada on Sunday.
As a result, Bilbao sit sixth in La Liga – level on points with seventh-place Sevilla with seven games of the season left to play. Both of tonight's teams are currently nine points off fourth-place Villarreal and therefore it is unlikely that either will be able to secure Champions League football through their league position. Winning the Europa League though opens up an automatic spot in the group stages of next season's premier European competition. A big carrot for the remaining sides!
Like Bilbao, Sevilla will also enter the match off the back of a disappointing league result, having lost 2-1 at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday. That defeat followed a 4-0 reverse at Real Madrid before the international break and Emery will be slightly concerned with his team's form entering the match. That said, there is just something about Sevilla and the Europa League which fits.
Sevilla overcame Russian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in last season's final to make it back-to-back Europa League crowns and four in total, which is a record. As a result of their 2015 victory, Sevilla advanced into the group stages of this season's Champions League, but they could not escape from Group D. It was a tough ask to qualify ahead of either Manchester City or Juventus and only two wins from their six group matches saw the Spanish side drop into the Europa League once again.
They overcame Norwegian outfit Molde 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 32, before beating Swiss side Basel 3-0 in the last round. Incredibly, they have won each of their last 11 home games in this competition, but have failed to record a victory on the road this season – losing four of their five European matches. The story of Sevilla's season has actually been their dreadful form on the road.
Europe aside, Sevilla are also without an away win in the league this season, drawing nine of their 15 matches, which has seen them struggle to launch a serious top-four challenge. They have lost at Molde and drew 0-0 with Basel in the knockout stage of the Europa League this term and Bilbao will fancy their chances of piling more away misery on Emery's side tonight. Not long until kickoff now!
Bilbao's European record against Spanish opposition is played five, won two, drawn one and lost two. Sevilla, meanwhile, have faced La Liga rivals on 16 occasions in Europe. Six of those matches have ended in wins, while they have drawn three and lost seven. Four of those defeats have come on their travels, meanwhile, and Bilbao have never lost at home to domestic opposition in Europe.
These two will hope to do some damage to Sevilla tonight...
PREDICTION! This is a very difficult game to call. It would not be a surprise if this first leg finished level, but Sevilla have just been so poor on their travels this season. I am backing both teams to find the back of the net at San Mames, but I just fancy Bilbao to shade it 2-1 on home soil.
A final reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
BILBAO: Herrerin; De Marcos, Etxeita, Boveda, Balenziaga; San Jose, Benat, Eraso; Muniain, Aduriz, Williams
SEVILLA: Soria; Coke, Kolo, Rami, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, N'Zonzi; Vitolo, Banega, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Time for the football! It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as these two Spanish rivals prepare to lock horns. It is the visitors that kick us off here...
... what a rainy night in Bilbao! It will make the pitch quicker though, which is good news for us. Tonight's referee is Premier League official Mark Clattenburg and let's hope that we are not discussing his performance at the end of the match! Lively start from both sides at San Mames here.
It has not taken long for the intensity to arrive on the field as both teams battle for possession in the middle of the park. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the ball zips along the surface!
The rain is absolutely pouring down at the moment!
Wonderful noise inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters make their voices heard. Sevilla make good ground down the left as Gameiro drives forward, but the striker is forced inside and indeed into traffic. Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment here.
Herrerin is forced out of his goal to clear a short back-pass from Benat, but the Bilbao stopper is quick off his line. The home side find space down the right with De Marcos, but Eraso turns into traffic. Both teams are quite narrow at the moment, which is a surprise with the personnel on the field.
Tremoulinas has a problem for Sevilla here as he limps off the field...
... half-chance for Gameiro at the far post, but the French striker fires wide of the target.
SEVILLA SUB! Sevilla are forced into a change as Fazio replaces Tremoulinas.
You just get the feeling that Bilbao need to take a lead into the second leg next week if they are to stand a chance of progressing into the semi-finals. For me, Sevilla are the favourites over two legs. However, Bilbao certainly have the credentials to upset the holders. Still goalless with 14 played here.
Fazio stumbles in a dangerous position and Williams drives a low cross into the Sevilla box, but Kolo just does enough to clear. Fazio is taking his time to settle into this match, that is for sure!
Nervous moment for Soria in the Sevilla goal as Aduriz and Williams both close on the stopper, who fumbled a cross, but the offside flag had been raised against Williams. Still 0-0 at San Mames.
Neither side is in control of this first leg at the moment, with both enjoying possession in the final third. Gameiro has come closest to making the breakthrough, but his strike from a wide angle was always missing the post. It has been as tight and cagey as expected between the two rivals.
Kolo, now at full-back, breaks down the left for Sevilla before delivering towards Gameiro, but Boveda is on hand to make the clearance. Banega then draws a decent save from Herrerin.
Aduriz bursts into life inside the Sevilla box as he turns and attempts to move past Fazio, but strong defending from the centre-back forces a corner, which is played short and then cleared. We are still waiting for the first serious opportunity with 24 minutes on the clock at San Mames.
Bilbao need a little bit more from Muniain in a wide position, with the skipper failing to make his mark thus far tonight. Williams can use his pace to burst away from Kolo and the attacker finds Eraso, but Rami is back to make the challenge. Little bit sloppy from both teams at the moment.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still all square at San Mames. Both sides have had half-chances, but neither goalkeeper has been overly worked thus far tonight.
CHANCE! Comfortably the best chance of the match thus far as De Marcos puts Williams through one-on-one with Soria, but the Sevilla stopper is out to make a super stop!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side this time as Vitolo goes through against Herrerin after a super pass from Krohn-Dehli, but Herrerin is out to make the save. Very open now!
This match has just completely opened up in the last five minutes as both teams commit players in the final third. The noise inside the stadium has increased and we could be set-up for an excellent finish to this first period. Williams delivers into De Marcos, but the right-back misses the post!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining here and the pace of the match has not slowed as the two teams continue to drive forward. I fancy a goal in the latter stages of this first period!
Gameiro goes down inside the Bilbao box under pressure from De Marcos, but the referee is not interested. It was a little bit clumsy from De Marcos, but for me, the referee has called it right.
Very poor from Krohn-Dehli, who stands on the foot of Williams away from the ball. That is terrible from the Danish midfielder, who might well have seen red. That was at least a yellow card.
POST! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Benat delivers an excellent free kick onto the head of Aduriz, but the striker's effort hits the post and bounces clear!
Bilbao have a free kick in a dangerous area as Aduriz is felled by Krychowiak...
... Benat once again looks for the head of Aduriz, but Kolo makes first contact!
CHANCE! Another excellent chance for Bilbao as De Marcos strikes towards the bottom corner after smart work from Williams, but the right-back's effort is just deflected wide of the post!
HALF-TIME: Bilbao 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had chances to make the breakthrough, with Vitolo coming close for Sevilla and Aduriz hitting the post for the home side. However, we are level as the two sides head down the tunnel here.
STATS! Bilbao have had more of the possession with 58%, while they have had seven attempts, but just one of those was on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their five attempts. No bookings thus far, but there have been some tasty challenges at San Mames!
BENCH WATCH! Bilbao do not have too many attacking options on their bench tonight, but both Susaeta and Viguera are available for head coach Valverde. Sevilla, meanwhile, have Konoplyanka, Cristoforo and Reyes in reserve, in addition to former Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough at San Mames? Let's find out shall we! It is Bilbao that resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-0 Sevilla (Aduriz)
Bilbao make the breakthrough in the 48th minute as Aduriz heads a Muniain cross past Soria from close range. It was a super cross from Muniain and Aduriz netted for his ninth European goal this season!
What a season Aduriz is having! That is now 32 goals for the campaign and surely he has to travel to Euro 2016 with Spain? Sevilla's away problems are continuing here and Bilbao have their tails up. At the moment, the damage is minimal to the visitors, but it could become a lot worse tonight!
BOOKING! Balenziaga (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Vitolo.
SAVE! Super stop from Soria, who keeps out Etxeita's brilliant header!
Sevilla just need to be careful here as they continue to drop deep, which is inviting pressure from Bilbao. I would not be surprised to see Emery make a change in the next few minutes here.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-1 Sevilla (Kolo)
Sevilla have their away goal! The visitors level this match at 1-1 as Kolo (Kolodziejczak) turns home from close range after Banega had just beat Herrerin to the ball. It was an open goal for the centre-back, but still a fine finish under pressure. We are all square with 57 minutes on the clock here.
A terrible header from Muniain, which was too short, allowed Banega to nip in ahead of the Bilbao goalkeeper and Kolo was the most unlikeliest of scorers for the visitors. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of goals here as both sides continue to commit players in the final third.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining at San Mames and there is hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the play continues to flow from end-to-end. Brilliant game here!
Bilbao are preparing to make a double change here...
... BILBAO SUBS! Susaeta and Lekue replace Williams and Muniain.
Muniain is being consoled on the bench at the moment after making that mistake which led to Sevilla levelling the scores. It was poor from the attacker, but these things can happen.
Another half-chance for the home side as Lekue delivers a super cross into the Sevilla box and it eventually falls for De Marcos, but the right-back's strike was always moving wide of the post.
Sevilla are going to make a change here as Konoplyanka receives his final instructions from Emery on the sidelines. Sevilla have so much quality on their bench tonight, but no sign of Llorente!
BOOKING! Rami (Sevilla) is booked for dissent.
SEVILLA SUB! Konoplyanka replaces Krohn-Dehli for the visitors.
BILBAO SUB! Bilbao's third and final change sees Viguera replace Eraso.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a foul on San Jose.
BOOKING! De Marcos (Bilbao) is booked for a late tackle on Konoplyanka.
Not much to report in the last few minutes apart from some changes and yellow cards! Bilbao are still the team looking most likely to find a second goal, but Sevilla continue to hold firm here.
SEVILLA SUB! Iborra replaces Banega for the away side.
That Iborra change means that we will not see Llorente for Sevilla tonight, which is a shame on his old stomping ground! You fancy that he might have nicked a late winner for Sevilla as well.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Sevilla have started to press more players forward in search of a second away goal. As it stands, Sevilla would be the strong favourites ahead of the return at the Estadio Ramon next week, that is for sure.
Konoplyanka cuts inside onto his right foot, but the attacker's effort was always wide of the post.
Benat tries his luck from outside the Sevilla box, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of the post following a deflection. Still time for either team to grab a second goal in this match.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-2 Sevilla (Iborra)
What a massive goal that is! Sevilla take the lead in the 84th minute as Iborra converts a super Gameiro pass from close range. The midfielder looked offside, but the flag stayed down there!
The home supporters are driving their team forward, but Sevilla are quite comfortable at the moment as we enter the final five minutes of action. What a blow for Bilbao if they lose this!
BOOKING! Vitolo (Sevilla) is booked for dissent.
The referee indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
Konoplyanka has one just deflected over the crossbar as Sevilla press forward once again.
Perhaps one final chance for Bilbao as Herrerin stands over a free kick inside the home side's half of the field. Sevilla are very deep at the moment as they battle to hold onto this 2-1 advantage.
FULL-TIME: Bilbao 1-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Sevilla running out 2-1 winners at San Mames. It has placed the holders in a strong position ahead of the second leg at the Estadio Ramon next week! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
