ATHLETIC 1-0 PANATHINIAKOS (4-2 agg.)
Athletic's Ziganda: "It's great to be back in Europe for another year"
The Bilbaínos are in the Europa League after emerging from two complicated Play-Off legs: "The pressure was on. It's all or nothing in these ties", the coach said.
Athletic Club coach José Ángel Cuco Ziganda expressed his satisfaction at tonight's 1-0 result against Panathinaikos which means the Basque outfit book their place in the Europa League group stage - the fourth consecutive year they have qualified for European competition.
Muniain goal takes the pressure off
Pressure: "Of course there is always going to be pressure - it's all or nothing in games like these; but we had faith in the team and the players showed that out on the pitch. Losing this tie would have been a massive blow".
Athletic join Villarreal and Real Sociedad in the draw
Thrilled to be in Europe: "I'm very happy because it means Athletic's name will continue to get exposure throughout Europe. We started the game strong and overall we controlled it well; we became more compacty in the second half and that was when we started getting more chances".
Slim result: "It was a shame that we couldn't get a second goal tonight but we were relaxed enough when we were in possession of the ball"
Athletic and Villarreal in Pot 1
The Europa League group stage draw will take place in Monaco at 13:00 hours CEST on Friday. Athletic and Villarreal will be in Pot 1 while Real Sociedad will be in Pot 2. No two teams from the same country can meet at this stage of the competition.
POT 1
Arsenal, Zenit, Lyon, Dinamo Kiev, Villarreal, Athletic Club, Lazio, AC Milan, Viktoria Plzen, Salzburg, Copenhagen, Sporting de Braga.
POT 2
Steaua Bucarest, Ludogorets, BATE Borisov, Everton, Young Boys, Olympique de Marseille, Real Sociedad, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Lokomotiv Mosow, Austria Vienna, Hertha Berlin, Nice.
POT 3
Astana, Partizan, Cologne, Hoffenheim, Rijeka, Vitoria Guimaraes, Atalanta, Zulte-Waregem, Zorya, Rosenborg, Sheriff Tiraspol, Hapoel Beer Sheva.
POT 4
Apollon Limassol, Basaksehir Istambul, Konyaspor, Vitesse, Slavia Praga, Red Star Belgrade, Skenderbeu, Zlin, AEK Athens, Lugano, Vardar Skopje, Östersunds.
