Bilbao eye qualification

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 by PA

Athletic Bilbao have a place in the next round of the Europa League in their sights as they make the hop down to the island of Madeira to take on CD Nacional, although they will need a helping hand from Werder Bremen if they are to guarantee themselves a top-two finish.

With two wins from their opening three games, Athletic are just a point behind Group L leaders Werder (seven points), four ahead of third-placed Austria Vienna and five clear of their next opponents, Nacional.

That means Athletic will secure their spot in the last 32 with another victory at the Estadio da Madeira, providing Werder defeat Austria in tomorrow's other match

Athletic centre-back Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora knows there are plenty of benefits for getting through as soon as possible, saying: "It would be good to achieve qualification in this game because then we could approach the final two gams in a different manner, as well as focusing more on the league and cup.

"Beating Nacional would allow us to be more relaxed."

The Basque side have had a mixed start to the season, winning their opening four Primera Division and Europa League fixtures, then badly losing their way with six defeats in eight games, before beating Atletico Madrid in their last match to climb back up into the top 10 of La Liga.

That form is in contrast to Nacional, who started poorly with just one win on their opening seven competitive matches but since then have won five in eight, leaving Manuel Machado's men in fifth spot in the Portuguese top flight.

The damage may already be done in Europe though, as defeats to Werder (3-2) and Athletic (2-1), as well as a 1-1 draw with Austria means the islanders are in serious danger of an early exit from the competition.

Machado, whose have lost three of their four European matches at home, has urged his side's supporters to rally behind the team tomorrow.

"What I ask is that they also believe," he said. "That they swap their sofas for a seat at the stadium and be our 12th man, helping the team to win.

"With everyone together we will get the victory!"