Europa League Quarter-Finals: Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Preview

The month of March favoured Rangers, who advanced past Fenerbahce in the last 16 of the Europa League after a tense penalty shootout that followed a 3-3 aggregate draw.

They also secured critical, important back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership against Celtic and Dundee.

Notably, Rangers have struggled at home recently, with five consecutive losses in 90 minutes across all competitions, including the second leg against Fenerbahce, which they lost 2-0 before winning on penalties. The defeat to Hibs marked their seventh loss in the Scottish Premiership this season, leaving them 13 points adrift of Celtic, who could clinch the title in a matter of weeks.

This contest marks Rangers’ 13th major European quarter-final— their first since facing Braga in the 2021-22 Europa League. However, they have a troubling record in first legs, having failed to win any of their last five. Interestingly, the last time they did secure a first-leg win in the quarter-finals was back in the 1968-69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup against—ironically—Athletic Bilbao, where they triumphed 4-1 at home before losing 2-0 away, yet still advancing 4-3 on aggregate.

The Spanish side, Athletic Bilbao, demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in their recent matchup against Roma, successfully orchestrating a comeback that has captivated many football fans. After facing a challenging predicament in the first leg, where they found themselves trailing with a 2-1 deficit, the stakes were high as they approached the second leg of the last-16 tie.
Last game they played so well, displaying a level of cohesion and tactical awareness that kept their opponents on the back foot.
They also scored three important goals in the game; they clinched a 3-1 victory on the night, which allowed them to progress with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline. This comeback not only showcased the skillful artistry of their attacking play but also highlighted their mental fortitude in the face of adversity.