Athletic Bilbao President Jose Urrutia says no team in today’s Champions League play-off draw wanted to be paired with his club.
The Spanish side, on paper, were the strongest of the unseeded teams in the draw in Nyon and were eventually handed a two-legged tie with Napoli.
Speaking after confirmation of the meeting with Rafa Benitez’s side, the San Mames chief expressed his belief that the fact his team are at home for the second leg could prove decisive.
Athletic Bilbao President Jose Urrutia says no team in today’s Champions League play-off draw wanted to be paired with his club.
The Spanish side, on paper, were the strongest of the unseeded teams in the draw in Nyon and were eventually handed a two-legged tie with Napoli.
Speaking after confirmation of the meeting with Rafa Benitez’s side, the San Mames chief expressed his belief that the fact his team are at home for the second leg could prove decisive.
“It will be a match against a great opponent, but we want to get through and continue in the competition,” Urrutia told reporters.
“No team wanted us as opponents and Napoli confirmed that to us too.
“The return match at San Mames gives us a bit of an edge, even though it provides no guarantees.
“We always play to win, we must try to do that in the first leg at San Paolo too.”