The Athletic Club faces the first leg of the Europe League against Inter Baku

The Athletic Club de Bilbao faces with enthusiasm the first leg of the Europe League preliminary round, playing against Inter Baku of Azerbaijan next Thursday in the Nuevo San Mames satdium. Ernesto Valverde's team will need to overcome this preliminary round to be present in the play-off draw that will entitle them to access the group stage. Therefore, they expect to consolidate the next round in the first match in Bilbao.

The aspirations of the Basque Club go through playing in Europe this summer, so the team could not come ready at a better time after a demanding pre-season where they kept improving their initial feelings. Notwithstanding, the reserve junior player Iñaki Williams's injury is a setback for the team. He has not recovered after injuring his left leg's hamstrings in one of the friendly matches.

Neither midfielder Mikel Rico will be in the duel, suffering from muscle aches, nor the long-term injured Muniain and Ramalho. Valverde will trust again Aritz Aduriz to have the control of the "lions" attack, who want to have the preliminary round well placed before their trip to Baku next 6th August.