Bilbao's journey to the Europa League quarter-finals has been anything but straightforward. After securing their spot in the group stage with a win over Dinamo Zagreb and a draw against FC Twente, Athletic Bilbao were tasked with progressing through two rounds of qualifying.
The first hurdle was overcome with ease, as the Basque side defeated FK Austria Wien 4-2 on aggregate. However, things got tougher when they faced off against FC Twente again in the second leg at home. A late goal from Brazilian striker Edin Dzeko sealed Bilbao's passage into the round of 16.
Now, the team faces a daunting task in the form of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions have won all six of their previous meetings against Spanish sides, with the last being a 5-0 drubbing in the Champions League earlier this season. It will be a tough test for Bilbao, who have already shown their mettle by overcoming some tough opponents in the group stages.
Despite the odds stacked against them, Athletic Bilbao have a history of surprising teams in European competition. They famously beat Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup back in 2007, and have also reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey twice in recent years.
With a strong squad that includes players like Iker Muniain, Keko, and Gorka Ibasso, there is no reason why Athletic Bilbao cannot make a deep run in the Europa League. Their journey so far has been a testament to their resilience and determination, and they will undoubtedly put up a fight against PSG.
As they look ahead to the next stage of their campaign, Athletic Bilbao will need to play with confidence and focus if they hope to progress further in the tournament. With their backs against the wall, they may just surprise everyone and reach the final four.