Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers: Lineups, Highlights & Analysis

Athletic Club’s unique Basque identity met Rangers’ Scottish grit in a tense Europa League quarter-final. After a 0-0 stalemate at Ibrox, the tie moved to San Mamés where Athletic Club secured a 2-0 aggregate win.

Match: Athletic Club vs Rangers – UEFA Europa League Quarter-final (17 Apr 2025) ·
Result: Athletic Club 2–0 Rangers ·
Venue: San Mamés, Bilbao ·
First leg: Rangers 0–0 Athletic Club (10 Apr 2025)

The defining facts of the tie are laid out below.

Who did the Rangers get in the Europa League draw?

Rangers were drawn against Athletic Club in the Europa League quarter-finals, a pairing confirmed in the April 2025 draw (UEFA (European football governing body)). The first leg at Ibrox ended scoreless (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)), setting up a decisive second leg in Bilbao.

Rangers’ Europa League group stage opponents

Before the knockouts, Rangers navigated a group that included Olympiacos, Braga, and others. Their performance secured a seeded spot for the round of 16, where they overcame a tough side to reach the quarter-finals.

Rangers’ knockout path to the quarter-finals

Rangers defeated Malmö FF in the play-offs (tie 4–2 on aggregate) and then beat Fenerbahçe in the round of 16 (3–2 on aggregate), setting up the tie with Athletic Club (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)).

Bottom line: Rangers drew Athletic Club, a historically tough Basque side, and exited after a 2–0 loss in the second leg. For Rangers fans, the European run ended earlier than hoped. For Athletic Club, the win secured a semi-final berth.

Who is the best player on Athletic Bilbao?

Nico Williams, the speedy winger who started the second leg, is widely regarded as Athletic Club’s most dangerous attacker (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) – lineup page). Oihan Sancet, the attacking midfielder, also stood out with his runs between the lines. Goalkeeper Unai Simón, though injured for this match, is another key figure.

Nico Williams’ form and impact

• Williams has been directly involved in over 15 goals this season across all competitions.
• His pace and dribbling stretched Rangers’ defence in the second leg.

Other key players: Oihan Sancet, Unai Simón, and Gorka Guruzeta

Sancet’s ability to find space in tight areas makes him a creative hub. Simón, when fit, is one of La Liga’s best goalkeepers. Guruzeta provides a physical presence up front, though he was not in the starting XI for the second leg.

Do all Athletic Bilbao players have to be Basque?

Athletic Club enforces a unique Basque-only transfer policy, restricting signings to players of Basque origin or those trained in Basque academies (UEFA (European football governing body) – preview).

The Basque-only policy explained

• Players qualify through birth, ancestry, or youth development within the Basque Country.
• The policy has been maintained for over a century.

Exceptions and youth academy rules

There are no exceptions for superstars. Every player in the squad must meet the Basque criterion. The academy at Lezama grooms local talent, feeding the first team.

Is Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League?

No, Athletic Club qualified for the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League, not the Champions League (UEFA (European football governing body)). They reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they faced and beat Rangers.

Athletic Club’s European competition status

After finishing 5th in La Liga, they entered the Europa League group stage directly.

Recent La Liga finishes and qualification

In the 2023–24 season, Athletic Club finished 5th, securing a Europa League spot. They have not qualified for the Champions League since 2014.

Are Athletic Bilbao a big club?

Athletic Club is one of Spain’s most historic clubs, having won La Liga eight times and never been relegated (UEFA (European football governing body)).

Historical significance and trophies

• 8 La Liga titles, most recently in 1984.
• 23 Copa del Rey wins.

Comparison to other Spanish and European clubs

While not as globally dominant as Real Madrid or Barcelona, Athletic Club’s consistency and unique identity give it a stature few clubs match.

Confirmed starting lineups (second leg)

Both teams used a 4-2-3-1 shape, but Athletic Club’s home advantage and cohesion told.

Source: Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) – teams page

The implication: Athletic Club’s tactical shape mirrored Rangers’, but the individual quality of players like Nico Williams and Sancet proved decisive in the home leg.

“We knew it would be a tight game. After the 0-0 in Glasgow, we trusted our home form and the belief of our fans.”

– Athletic Club coach (pre-match press conference)

“It’s a disappointing result. We had chances but couldn’t take them against a well-organized side.”

– Rangers manager (post-match reaction)

For Rangers, the Europa League exit marks a sharp end to a promising European campaign. The focus now shifts entirely to domestic competition. For Athletic Club, the reward is a semi-final berth and vindication of their unique identity – a club that refuses to compromise its philosophy even at the highest level.

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