Schalke played some solid football against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League tie, and for around 60 minutes of their match, they looked like the better team. Unfortunately for them, they did not finish the game well and got absolutely torched on the counter-attack. Bilbao hung four goals on Schalke in Gelsenkirchen, and this tie is essentially over.
Athletic Bilbao Vs. Schalke 04, 2012 UEFA Europa League: Bielsa Is the Winner
Of course, everyone on both sides is talking like a Schalke comeback is possible. With players like Raul Gonzalez and Klass-Jan Huntelaar up top, it wouldn’t be terribly shocking, but they need to win by three goals, or by two while scoring for or more goals. This seems highly unlikely.
Julian Draxler and Christian Fuchs are both out injured for Schalke, while Athletic is without Ander Iturraspe.
Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 5, 3:05 p.m. ET, 9:05 p.m. local
Venue: San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
TV: DirecTV Soccer (USA), Channel 5 (UK)
We’ll have individual game previews and live coverage in our UEFA Europa League Quarterfinals StoryStream.
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