Athletic Bilbao to edge rivals in Europa League push

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Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga season is set to go full circle in the coming weeks as they look in pole position to claim the last Europa League spot in the Spanish top flight.

The Basque side are up to seventh in the table, with three games to play, taking full advantage of rivals Alaves’ dip in form as the season enters into its final stage.

They have a three point lead on their Basque neighbours, after drawing 1-1 with them last weekend at San Mames, and face relegation threatened Celta Vigo and Real Valladolid in the final weeks.

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Garitano exercising his relegation ghosts with Athletic Bilbao

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When Athletic Bilbao promoted Gaizka Garitano to first team manager, from a role with the club’s reserve side, his brief was clear – avoid an embarrassing La Liga relegation.

Sacking managers has been a common theme at the Basque side, since Ernesto Valverde left the club for Barcelona in 2017,with Garitano the third coach to take the reins at San Mames in just 18 months.

He has replaced Eduardo Berizzo, and follows in the footsteps of Berizzo’s predecessor Cuco Ziganda, who was plucked from reserve team management at the club.

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