“We're going to play our hearts out to reach that final”

Nico Williams and Ernesto Valverde have promised the Athletic Club players will give it their all to defeat Manchester United and take the Lions to a third European final in our history.

The Zurigorri host Ruben Amorim's Red Devils at San Mames on Thursday night (21:00 CEST), with the return leg at Old Trafford a week later.

It's going to be a very tight tie. Tomorrow we expect the fans at San Mames to be behind us from minute one, so we're sure to have a good start to the game," Nico Williams said during his press conference.

"United are a great team, they have great players, like Bruno Fernandes. We'll have to do our best to get the win. We're very excited in the dressing room, as is the whole city and the whole Athleticzale family."

The younger Williams brother said the team is trying to "keep a low profile" despite the euphoria surrounding their Europa League campaign.

He added: "My brother said it last year: ‘Under the radar’. I understand the fans' feelings, but we have to be 100% focused on the match and on doing our job. We're going to play our hearts out to get to the final in San Mames."

Nico also said that getting to a Europa League semi-finals "with local players" is something that "deserves a lot of credit".

He continued: "Everyone has to look at our achievement, we're a unique club. We have never been relegated and we do everything with local people. We take a lot of pride in that."

 

"When you're a semi-finalist you start to think about the final"

Valverde warned that whatever happens at San Mames, "the tie will be settled in the second leg".

"You have to play two good games to get through and tomorrow's is the first," the gaffer said.

"It is an important game of this season and of the club's history. As were the previous semi-finals or last year's final. We know that."

"There are a lot of things we have to bear in mind with Manchestr United, they have a lot of depth, positional play, people who can play inside, space up front because they like to run...

"They are a great team. If you pay too much attention to one thing, you get distracted from another. It's going to be a tough tie."

When questioned about the Athletic family's hopes and dreams in the Europa League, Valverde said it was natural to "start thinking about the final when you're a semi-finalist".

He added: "When the season starts there are 20 league champions and more Copa winners. That excitement needs  to be there, but you can't lose sight of what's in front of you.

"In these competitions a mistake or a bad minute sends you out. You have to know how to play these ties how to manage them."