Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad preview - Iraola: Bilbao remain focussed on derby date

Athletic Bilbao captain Andoni Iraola does not believe next week's Europa League tie will distract his side from the Basque derby against Real Sociedad.

Athletic travel to Manchester United on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 tie, but Iraola believes the team will be fully focused on sealing a repeat of their win over Sociedad in September.

He told Marca, "In these matches the situation in the table doesn't matter, as we have seen in the first game, when we were lower down and still won.

"You can't look at the general situation because these are special matches.

"During the week people have been speaking about many things such as the Copa del Rey final or the game against Manchester United, but I think the game this weekend is sufficiently important to warrant all of our attention and that is what we are doing."

Athletic could be without Iker Muniain after he suffered a knock in training and Ander Iturraspe is suspended, but Oscar de Marcos is available for selection again after serving his one-game ban at Villarreal last weekend.

Sociedad boss Philippe Montanier has also underlined the importance of this fixture by describing it as "one of the most famous derbies in Europe".

Montanier is aware of the task facing his players as Athletic have not lost at home in 11 matches, but is hoping their 1-0 victory at Valencia earlier in the season can serve as a template for success at San Mames.

He told AS: "Athletic are most dangerous as a collective unit because, although they have two or three very important players, as a group they form an even stronger and more dangerous team.

"The game we played against Valencia is a good reference point for us. We need to show the same level of performance to take a positive result."

Montanier will be without talented midfielder Asier Illarramendi after his appeal against a two-game ban after being sent off against Granada was rejected so Gorka Elustondo and Mikel Aranburu are expected to start in central midfield.