Bilbao, Spain – Athletic Club don set to make history as dem dey eye their sixth consecutive win for home ground this season in the Europa League. Dem never do am before, with previous best of five wins come from Koldo Aguirre time for 1976-77 and Marcelo Bielsa time for 2011-12.
As dem prepare for di second leg quarter-final againt Rangers, di home side dey full of confidence after winning all five matches for their stadium dis season. Captain James Tavernier of Rangers don talk say e never still fit watch di replay of di Europa League final wey dem lose to Eintracht Frankfurt almost three years ago. He mention sey, “E still dey hurt me. Di final feel like once in a lifetime, but now we get chance to go back dey.” This kind motivation fit help dem push for victory tonight.
Rangers don dey prepare with di aim to bounce back from their goalless draw in di first leg, but coach Barry Ferguson no go easy on di players. He talk sey young striker Hamza Igamane must add more skills to im game. “Hamza get plenty quality, but he need to bring more to di table,” e talk. Di last five times wen Athletic Club don draw for di first leg of major European ties, dem don always get eliminated. Di last time dem survive was in di 1976-77 UEFA Cup semi-final.
On di other hand, Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde don warn say e dey wary of Rangers’ away form. Dem dey unbeaten for di last six away games and win five, while Rangers no fit win for dem last six home games. “We need to respect dem as a strong team and play our game,” he talk. “We must consider how dem go play because dey don show strength in dis competition.”
Athletic Barclays shey forwards Inaki Williams dey miss di match, and dis one go be key for di team as dem name Alex Berenguer to fill di position. Berenguer been get one goal dis season but e be like sey he go want to show more as he don come back into di starting lineup.
Rangers don make plenty changes for di lineup, with goalkeeper Liam Kelly dey one of di few who just dey survive from di last match. Dis match dey key for both teams, as dem wan push through to di next round. Match go hold for di iconic San Mames Stadium, wey fit hold over 50,000 supporters, and di vibe don dey electrifying as both fan base don gather for di occasion. Rangers fans dey hope say dis go be a “Barry Ferguson Day” if e fit lead dem to victory.
With di atmosphere charged and both teams ready to fight, fans go expect plenty drama, as dis match fit determine di fate of Rangers’ European campaign.
