Athletic Bilbao vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk preview - Bilbao not worried by Barca defeat
Posted Tuesday, September 16, 2014 by PA
Athletic Bilbao's confidence remains high ahead of Wednesday's Champions League Group H opener against Shakhtar Donetsk despite their defeat to Barcelona at the weekend.
The Basque side are in the group stages of Europe's elite club competition for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign and they know they cannot afford to drop points at home if they wish to advance.
"To start and finish the group stages at home is always positive," Athletic winger Iker Muniain said to www.marca.com. "Despite the loss at Barcelona, there is a positive atmosphere in the group and more so considering that we are playing our first group game at the San Mames stadium.
"To play at home will help us to be ready and clinch three points against Shakhtar, which is vital."
Ernesto Valverde's men lost 2-0 to Barca on Saturday at the Camp Nou to record their second loss in La Liga.
Los Leones, who beat Napoli 3-1 in Bilbao in their play-off tie last month to return to the big European stage, will also face FC Porto and BATE Borisov in their pool.
"I think this is an open group," Muniain said. "I think our three group rivals are dangerous although perhaps Shakhtar is the strongest of them all."
Muniain is set to play in support of striker Aritz Aduritz in Athletic's attack.
Shakhtar are hoping to repeat last season's start to the competition which saw them win 2-0 against Basque side Real Sociedad in Anoeta.
The Ukrainian champions finished third in their group on eight points and went on to be eliminated in the Europa League Round of 32 by Viktoria Plzen.
Mircea Luscescu's men travel to the north of Spain in buoyant mood having enjoyed a perfect start to the campaign.
Shakhtar have won all eight of their games in all competitions so far, including Saturday's 2-0 league win at Odessa that kept them at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League standings.
The Pitmen have shown few signs of weakness, scoring 18 times while conceded just one goal so far.
Despite their good run of form, which has seen them keep a clean sheet in 518 minutes, Lucescu expects his side to be tested on Wednesday.
"We face a difficult encounter in Bilbao," Luscescu said to www.shakhtar.com. "The atmosphere in Bilbao will stimulate primarily the home team."
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