Nine Athletic Bilbao stars got trapped in lift in strange ‘mishap' reveals coach Ernesto Valverde before Man Utd clash
ATHLETIC BILBAO have suffered further woes ahead of their clash with Man Utd
The Champions League-chasing Basques were hammered 3-0 at San Mames last week, leaving them with it all to do at Old Trafford in the Europa League.
2
2
Should they achieve a miracle comeback, they will play the Europa League final against Bodo/Glimt or Tottenham at their own stadium.
But boss Ernesto Valverde revealed that things took a farcical turn at the weekend.
He said: 'How is the team? I saw it very well.
"We had a difficult match against Real Sociedad and a mishap.
"Nine players were trapped in the lift, which had a capacity of eight people.
"But we got them out before the match and managed to earn a draw."
Bilbao's preference for this game at Old Trafford have also not been helped by the absence of three of their star players.
Brothers Nico and Inaki Williams have stayed at home along with attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet, who has scored 15 La Liga goals this season.
But Valverde insisted that all of the three players had been ruled out due to injury, and Athletic won't be giving up on the tie.
He commented: "If any one [of them] could have been here, they would be here.
'Were we not good enough-' - Man Utd legend Roy Keane takes cheeky dig at David Beckham over 50th birthday snub
"Because this game is the most important of the season right now.
"I don't understand the question. You talk to the doctor and the players, but there's not much to decide. Those who are injured can't play."
The Basques will also be without Dani Vivian after his red card in last week's game.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make £113m Wirtz offer, Inter inquire about Hojlund, Spurs target Frank as new manager
Tottenham released a lengthy statement explaining their decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou: FOLLOWING a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever. We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Mauricio Pochettino eyed for sensational Spurs return but key obstacle remains
Tottenham enjoyed a successful period with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm and he's being considered as a replacement for Ange Postecoglou - but finances may scupper any hope of a return Mauricio Pochettino is being considered as the next Tottenham manager but it would take a mammoth fee to get him back to north London given he's currently in charge of the USA national team. Daniel Levy is on the lookout for another new manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou on Friday. The Australian won the Europa League, but it wasn't enough to keep him in a job given a dire Premier League campaign, which saw them finish 17th. A list of possible replacements has been drawn up with Pochettino, who led the club for five years, being linked with a return to the post he left in 2019. The Argentine has since gone on to lead the likes of PSG and Chelsea but now finds himself in international management with the USA, who are looking forward to hosting the World Cup next year with Pochettino at the helm. The BBC reports that if Tottenham wanted to get Pochettino out of his contract and back to Tottenham the compensation package they would have to pay would be one of the "biggest in football history". That could leave them looking elsewhere despite there previously being talk of a return for Pochettino, who was axed just months after guiding the club to the final of the Champions League. Despite missing out on a trophy he consistently got Tottenham into the top four, finishing second in 2017. He previously admitted a return was on his radar, but not right now: "I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back." Brentford boss Thomas Frank is among the other names being considered to replacement Postecoglou. He's continued to work impressively in west London despite losing his best players annually, yet he's been able to ensure Brentford consolidate themselves in the top flight. He has a £10million release clause though and Tottenham are also considering Fulham's Marco Silva. The Portuguese boss recently claimed he intends to remain as the Cottagers boss, but has been shortlisted.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Why are England playing Andorra in Barcelona?
THE Thomas Tuchel era marches on as the Three Lions take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier. 3 3 3 With the Premier League season now over, attention briefly turns to the national team, ahead of the 2025 Club World Cup. The German has already promised a second star for England, and hopes to get one step closer with a victory over Andorra - that will not take place in Andorra. The side have already landed in Spain, heading to the Spanish Grand Prix to see Oscar Piastri pick up victory in Barcelona. SunSport can reveal why England are taking on Andorra in Barcelona. Why is England vs Andorra taking place in Barcelona? England are taking on Andorra in Spain to accommodate for the travelling England fans. The last time the sides met in October 2021, the game was played at the Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, but the ground only has a capacity of 3,000. The game will instead take place at Espanyol's 40,000-capacity RCDE Stadium, meaning more England fans can make the trip. This also means there will be a greater financial benefit for Andorra. This is not the first time the sides have met in Spain, with clashes in 2007 and 2008 both taking place at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. How to watch England vs Andorra for FREE and is there a live stream? England take on Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, June 7, with kick-off at 5pm BST. The game will come LIVE on ITV1 in the UK. Action will also be available to stream on ITVX. Alternatively, SunSport will blog all the action as it happens.
