Athletic Bilbao host Manchester United at San Mamés on Thursday night in what promises to be a fiercely contested UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg. It’s a clash steeped in contrast—tradition versus transition, continuity versus recalibration.

Ernesto Valverde's Bilbao are pushing for Champions League qualification in La Liga and have the carrot dangling in front of them that if they win this semifinal they will play in the Europa League final at their home stadium,

A treble is on the cards if they can get past Inter and beat either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Final.MORE — Barca win Copa del Rey | El Clasico player ratingsBarca haven't won the UEFA Champions League since a 2014-15 triumph over Juventus gave them five European Cups.