GERMANY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Schalke confident of defeating Athletic Bilbao in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final

Record ID: 644374

  • Title: GERMANY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Schalke confident of defeating Athletic Bilbao in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final
  • Date: 29th March 2012
  • Summary: GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY (MARCH 28, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR "VELTINS ARENA" FANS WAITING OUTSIDE
  • Embargoed: 13th April 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABJ4C1T8CBAYIA475N8WWMHE7C
  • Story Text: Germany's Schalke 04 has every intention to play in Bucharest when the Romanian capital hosts the Europa League final on May 9, the club's coach told reporters in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday (March 28).
    Speaking at a news conference ahead of Thursday's first leg of the quarter-final, coach Huub Stevens said: "They have amazing qualifications and they use them as well, although not yet in the championship. But when I look at the game against United - you don't just win like that. But they did and in a fantastic way. If we can apply our qualifications in the game then I don't know how it will end.
    "I would not be able to tell because I don't yet know the real strengths of Bilbao.
    Athletic Bilbao beat Manchester United in the last round of the Europa League, and are now among the favourites to win the tournament.
    Schalke Midfielder Julian Draxler admitted they pose a real threat, but is confident his side can win over the two legs.
    "As is customary for Spanish teams, Bilbao is very strong," he said.
    "We definitely have to be prepared for quite something. They play in a very agile and fast manner and up front with (Fernando) Llorente, they have a player who is also strong in the air.
    "But we discussed at length yesterday what we need to do and I hope we will be able to apply that tomorrow."
    Bilbao are eleventh in Spain's La Liga and the Basques have not won any of their last four games.
    Schalke are on course for the Champions League after defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 last weekend, and lie third in the Bundesliga.
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