"If football smiles on us, we can turn this around"

Ahead of one of the most important games of his career, Yeray Álvarez has shared a message of hope, courage and faith ahead in the build-up to our Europa League semi-final second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Athletic Club defender, 30, playing in his first European semi-final, is confident of his team's chances of overturning the 0-3 defeat at San Mames.

"Since the end of the first leg, with the support of our fans, this possible comeback began," said the centre-back.

"The team is confident, we've worked with the knowledge that anything can happen, and at any moment in football things can change.

"It's every player's dream to play this kind of game. I know how difficult it is to reach a semi-final like this, and even more so after so many years without getting into Europe."

Yeray referred to the football Athletic played in the first 30 minutes at San Mamés, a period in which they dominated Manchester United and created clear chances.

"Those minutes you saw at San Mames before the sending-off is the football Athletic want to show.

"We have to press them up front, generate as many chances as possible and try to turn that into goals.

"If football smiles on us, we'll manage to turn it around. If for whatever reason we don't manage it, the team will give 100%."

No obstante, el defensor no oculta las dificultades: “Tienen una habilidad increíble, y con una pequeña ventaja que les dejes te hacen tres goles de la nada”.

Given Athletic's absentees for the game, Yeray sent a resounding message to those who have lost faith.

He said: ‘If you're feeling pessimisitc, it's because you have little faith in Athletic's players.

"There are 25 of us, they're important players, but you can imagine the substitutes’ desire to play in this semi-final.

"I was in the stands in the Copa final and I wanted to be there, I would have given everything. We're a team and we're all really looking forward to playing tomorrow and competing on the pitch and giving our all."

Valverde: "It's the most important match of the season."

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde was also assertive in the build-up, stressing the importance of focusing on those who will be available at Old Trafford.

"We're thinking about those who have come, focusing on those who are going to be here. United will also have absentees, the important thing is those who are on the pitch. We're a team and we have to deal with the absentees we have," he said.

The coach is aware of the difficulty of the challenge, but won't give up hope.

He added: "It's complicated, the result is adverse and they're a great opponent. This is football, anything can happen and we always hope for the best."

Valverde also made it clear that if any of the absentees could have made it they wouldn't have missed "the most important game of the season right now".

Regarding the first leg, the coach acknowledged that the game changed with the sending-off-

"With 11 against 11 we were closer to winning, but Man Utd don't forgive and we made mistakes. They're a team with a lot of ability, so we hope to make fewer mistakes."

Despite the setback at San Mamés, Valverde is proud of the progress we've made: "We're very satisfied with how we've approached this competition.

"We know perfectly well that in this type of tie everything can be decided in one minute or by one wrong move. We'll be ready to take advantage of any opportunity."