Following successful first-leg performances, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are looking to secure their spots in the UEFA Europa League final when they face Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt, respectively, in the second legs.
Both English sides hold a two-goal or greater lead after strong first-leg wins. Manchester United triumphed 3-0 away at Bilbao, while Spurs secured a 3-1 victory at home against Bodo/Glimt. This makes them heavy favorites to advance, though the situation could also motivate Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt to deliver peak performances to keep their Europa League hopes alive.
The winners of the semifinals will meet at Bilbao`s San Mames Stadium on May 21, with the champion also earning a place in the next season`s UEFA Champions League.
Here`s what you need to know before tuning into the second legs of the Europa League semifinals.
How to Watch Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao
Date: Thursday, May 8 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Old Trafford — Stretford, England
Live stream: Paramount+
Odds: Manchester United -115; Draw +260; Athletic Bilbao +280
What Manchester United are saying
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim remains cautious despite the comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the second leg. He expressed uncertainty about which version of his team would appear on Thursday, referencing their unpredictable nature.
“Sometimes during the game, we are one team, something happens and we lose our mind a little bit… We cannot say today what is going to happen,” he said.
Amorim believes his side still needs to score and will “have to suffer a bit” to reach the final.
He also dismissed the notion that Athletic`s absence of three key players (Oihan Sancet and the Williams brothers) gives United an edge, emphasizing that for them, they face Athletic`s “top team.”
How to Watch Bodo/Glimt vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Date: Thursday, May 7 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Aspmyra Stadion — Bodo, Norway
TV: CBS Sports Network | Live stream: Paramount+
What Tottenham Hotspur are saying
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledges that a two-goal lead, while solid, means the tie is still not fully secured. He addressed the long-standing narrative surrounding the club`s trophy drought, which now spans 18 years.
He believes winning builds a winning culture, and lifting a trophy strengthens belief within the club. However, he emphasized the need to get through the semifinal first before talking about reaching the final.
The team faces challenges due to injuries to Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Lucas Bergvall, but as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario noted, the squad is accustomed to handling such situations.
“We always have to deal with it to be fair,” Vicario said. “We will not have Sonny and Madders tomorrow, but it is on us. The entire squad will be crucial.”
Postecoglou also responded to comments (presumably from Arsene Wenger) suggesting Europa League winners shouldn`t get a Champions League spot. He labeled this a typical attempt to diminish Tottenham, questioning why this issue has arisen now compared to previous years.
