Racing Santander vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Llorente hopes to fire Bilbao into Europe

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by PA

Striker Fernando Llorente will hope to complete what has been a memorable 12 months by firing Athletic Bilbao into the Europa League proper when his side take on neighbours Racing Santander on Saturday.

Athletic are currently sixth in the Primera Division standings heading into the final game of the season, level on 55 points with Sevilla (fifth) and Atletico Madrid (seventh).

All three teams are assured of Europa League football next season, but one of them will have to start in the qualifying round - something all three will be hoping to avoid.

Finishing in the top six is Llorente's aim, and would cap a superb year for the Spain international which last summer saw him win a World Cup winners' medal and this campaign net more than 20 goals for club and country.

"It's been a really great season," said Llorente.

"We came back from the World Cup as champions and with Athletic, we haven't won titles, but we've got into the Europa League which was our objective.

"Now there remains one last effort to be fifth or sixth and avoid the qualifying round."

Llorente's success over the last year saw him heavily linked a big-money move to Real Madrid earlier this season, but the powerful hitman seems in no rush to quit the Basque giants.

"The president has no intention of selling me and I have no intention of going. I'm still very happy in Bilbao and excited by the opportunity of playing in Europe," he said in AS.

Whereas Athletic still have something to fight for, Racing complete their campaign with nothing at stake.

They are 11th in the table on 46 points, four above the relegation zone and nine off the European spots.

Nevertheless, the Cantabrian side will be looking to finish on a good note against their local rivals.

Coach Marcelino Garcia Toral said: "We want to say goodbye to the season by giving a victory to the fans who have backed us and helped us, whilst also taking into account that the match against Athletic is special for them."