Atletico Madrid 3 Athletic Bilbao 0

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente believes his side’s stunning success over Manchester United has given them the belief they can claim the club’s first ever European trophy when they face Atletico Madrid in an all-Spanish Europa League final in Bucharest tonight.

Spain’s Euro 2012 preparations suffered a further major blow yesterday when key defender Carles Puyol was ruled out with a knee injury, while first-choice forward David Villa may not recover in time to make the squad.

Athletic Bilbao 3 Sporting Lisbon 1 (Athletic Bilbao win 4-3 on aggregate)

Manchester United’s conquerors Athletic Bilbao scored three late goals to beat Schalke 4-2 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg last night.

Athletic Bilbao winger Markel Susaeta knows his side cannot afford to waste any chances when they face Schalke 04 in their Europa League quarter-final first leg in Gelsenkirchen tonight.

It is rare in modern football to see something quite so startling as Athletic Bilbao’s two victories over Manchester United.

Athletic Bilbao 2 Manchester United 1 (Athletic win 5-3 on aggregate).

Alex Ferguson admits Manchester United’s slack European performances will force him to reassess how to approach games at Old Trafford in future.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has been gagged by the Premier League after voicing his backing for Harry Redknapp to be the next England manager.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists his side can overturn a 3-2 first-leg deficit after being “well beaten” in last night’s Europa League clash at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Manchester United’s miserable European home form continued as they were completely outplayed by Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie last night.

Manchester United 2 Athletic Bilbao 3

Thursday night football may be second-best but there is a lot to anticipate from the tie between Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao.

Fernando Torres has been dropped from the Spain squad for next week’s friendly against Venezuela.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis reflected on a thrilling seven-month adventure to the corners of the continent after his side’s Europa League run was finally brought to an end by Valencia in the last 32 last night.