London: Athletic Bilbao are best-placed of the three Spanish clubs aiming to reach the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday and still the one that seem to be pressing hardest for victory.
While Atletico Madrid will defend a narrow 2-1 lead at Hannover and Valencia need to overturn a 2-1 deficit when they host AZ Alkmaar, Bilbao have targeted another win over visiting Schalke despite already holding a 4-2 advantage from last week's quarter-final first-leg matches.
Bilbao, who eliminated Manchester United in the previous round, have won plaudits across Europe for their attacking play and don't look likely to change their gameplan. "We can't go out and play stupidly," winger Markel Susaeta said. "Even though we won 4-2, nothing but winning this game has crossed our minds."
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Susaeta, the only player in Spain's top-flight to play 50 games already this season, said Bilbao would be on guard against the attacking threat of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Jefferson Farfan and former Spain great Raul Gonzalez, who scored both Schalke's goals last week. The match marks Raul's second playing appearance in Spain since leaving Real Madrid in 2010. Raul played at Valencia last season and has enjoyed facing Spanish competition, with three goals in three matches.
"They've got great forwards like Farfan, Huntelaar and Raul and they will try to get at us," Susaeta said. "They've got to score three goals and that gives us a big advantage, but if they score early, it could complicate the match for us."
Athletic are without suspended midfielder Ander Iturraspe, with coach Marcelo Bielsa looking at moving Spain international Javi Martinez up from his central defence position to fill the role. Borja Ekiza is expected to replace Martinez in the backline. Whether Fernando Llorente returns is uncertain after the Spain striker sat out Saturday's 2-0 Spanish league loss at Barcelona.
The size of Bielsa's squad hasn't affected the Basque club's European ambitions so far, although they have tailed off badly in the league. Bilbao are already certain of playing in Europe next year anyway as they face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and will get that Europa League spot if they don't win the competition outright.
Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones is doubtful after missing training on Tuesday. The club said Jones needs a rest after a busy schedule, although he made the flight to Spain. Captain Benedikt Hoewedes remains out following a muscle tear, with defender Christian Fuchs and forward Julian Draxler also staying behind.
Sporting director Horst Heldt said "we are not going there for a three-day holiday" and recalled that Schalke won 5-2 at Inter Milan last season. But coach Huub Stevens was more realistic. "There are no miracles," Stevens said.
Atletico Madrid have won all of their Europa League games under coach Diego Simeone and now has to defend a narrow lead away from home. Midfielder Tiago, defender Diego Godin and striker Adrian Lopez are all available after missing the first leg but the team will be without midfielders Arda Turan and Gabi Fernandez, and fullback Juanfran Torres — all through suspension. Also, Antonio Lopez, Pizzi and Fran Merida are injured.
Valencia may fear their own fans as much as their Dutch opponents after they jeered their team off the field following another poor display Sunday — a 1-1 draw against Levante. Valencia are third in the standings behind big two Real Madrid and Barcelona, but is 24 points adrift of second-placed Barca. Emery can at least count on the return of two of his Spain internationals, striker Roberto Soldado and fullback Jordi Alba.
Metalist Kharkiv host Sporting Lisbon in the other match, with the Ukrainian side seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit.
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