Intro:

Athletic Bilbao are well placed to win a spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, going into Thursday's (15th March) last-16 second leg encounter with Manchester United on the back of a 3-2 away victory.

Script:

Athletic Bilbao stunned Manchester United in their Europa League last 16 first leg tie, leaving Old Trafford as 3-2 winners.

Since the defeat United have moved top of the English Premier League, and defender Andoni Iraola admits Bilbao are only half way there.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Andoni Iraola, Athletic de Bilbao:

"It is clear that we played a good game last week in Manchester. But the ultimate game that will decide which team will make it to quarterfinals is tomorrow's. And in that sense if we want to play a good game we need to do it right. We need to play a very complete game over ninety minutes."

Meanwhile coach Marcelo Bielsa says the first leg should play only a minor role in the teams game plan.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Marcelo Bielsa, Athletic de Bilbao coach:

"Given the result from the first leg we have a numerical advantage. We start with a game that we won and we have ninety minutes left to go. Ignoring that wouldn't be logical. To give it too much importance would be lacking in prudence. Wouldn't it?"

Bilbao are aiming to be one of three Spanish teams through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with Atletico Madrid and Valencia both carrying two-goal advantages after dominant home wins.