The Basque side overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-1 on Sunday to move six points clear in the final Champions League spot in La Liga
Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde reckons their comeback victory at home to Rayo Vallecano will have the San Mames stadium bouncing on Thursday when Rangers roll into town in the second leg of their Europa League quarter final showdown.
The Basque side ended their run of three games in all competitions without scoring by overturning a 1-0 deficit at half-time to run out 3-1 winners against Vallecano to move six points clear in the final Champions League slot in La Liga.
Valverde’s team were found wanting at Ibrox last Thursday and were unable to take home an advantage ahead of the return fixture, despite Rangers playing from the 13th minute onwards with 10 men after Robin Propper saw red.
Bilbao also missed a penalty against Gers when Liam Kelly kept out Alex Berenguer’s spot kick but Valverde believes his team have got their mojo back in the nick of time ahead of the second leg.
With the final of the Europa League taking place in their own stadium, Valverde reckons that the home crowd will play a big part in the outcome of Thursday’s match when Barry Ferguson’s team step into the San Mames.
Speaking after the win against Vallecano – with Rangers scouting team watching on – he said: “This win is also important for Thursday, both for our confidence and to motivate the fans, so they come, enjoy, and participate in the match.
“In the first half, the game wasn’t going our way, and we wanted to step up our game and take a few more risks because if we had the ball, we’d have chances. We knew how to overcome it and we won.
“You know how it is. Things are seen one way or another depending on the result. It was clear we were going to keep scoring goals. Sometimes we got them right, sometimes we didn’t. And we have to keep going.
“It will be a difficult challenge (on Thursday) but we are excited.”
Star winger Inaki Williams had to be replaced in the second half in the victory over Vallecano and Valverde admits the Ghana international will need to be assessed.
He added: “He had a slight discomfort, and I didn’t want him to continue because the problem could have gotten worse.
“I decided to take him off the field.”
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