The UEFA Europa League (EL) semi-final second leg is set to take place on May 8, 2025, with Manchester United facing Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt going up against Tottenham Hotspur. Both matches promise to be thrilling encounters as teams vie for a spot in the final.
Manchester United enters the match against Athletic Bilbao with a commanding aggregate score of 3-0 after a decisive first-leg victory. The Red Devils, known for their resilience and attacking prowess, are in a strong position to advance. The expected lineup for United includes goalkeeper André Onana, defenders Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Yoro, alongside midfielders Amad Diallo, Casemiro, Ugarte, and Dolberg. Up front, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho will lead the charge.
Injuries could pose a challenge for United, as they are missing key players such as Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Diogo Dalot, and Zirkzee. Despite this, the team is optimistic following their impressive performance in the first leg, where they capitalized on Athletic's missed opportunities. Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle. Their expected lineup features goalkeeper Agirrezabala, defenders De Marcos, Paredes, Jerrai, and Yuri, with a midfield comprising Jauregizar, Garreta, Jaro, and Berenguer, and forward Sanadi.
Bilbao's injury woes include midfielders Sancet and forwards Nico and Iñaki Williams, both of whom are pivotal to their attacking strategy. The Basque side hopes to overcome these challenges and create a miracle comeback at Old Trafford, where they need to score at least four goals to advance.
Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt will face Tottenham Hotspur in the other semi-final clash, trailing 1-3 on aggregate after the first leg. The Norwegian side, led by manager Kjetil Knutsen, has expressed confidence in their ability to perform at home. "It’s without a doubt a historic match for us. I think we want to play a major role. We are not a clear favorite to win, but we still have a chance," Knutsen stated ahead of the match.
The expected lineup for Bodo/Glimt includes goalkeeper Haikin, defenders Shevold, Bjørntuft, Gundersen, and Bjorkan, with midfielders Even, Berg, and Sartnes, and forwards Blomberg, Haug, and Solanke. They will be looking to exploit their home advantage at Aspmyra Stadion, where they have demonstrated a strong record.
Tottenham, on the other hand, is coming off a 1-1 draw against West Ham in their latest league outing. The Spurs will field a strong lineup featuring goalkeeper Vicario, defenders Pedro Porro, Romero, van de Ven, and Udogie, with midfielders Kulusevski, Bissouma, and Bentancur, and forwards Brennan Johnson, Solanke, and Terl. However, they will be without key players like Son Heung-min and James Maddison due to injuries.
As the matches approach, the stakes couldn't be higher. Manchester United is poised to continue their impressive run in the tournament, while Athletic Bilbao is desperate for a miracle to overturn the deficit. On the other hand, Bodo/Glimt will aim to capitalize on their home advantage against a formidable Tottenham side that will be looking to secure their place in the final.
Both matches will be broadcast live on WOWOW, with Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao kicking off at 4:00 AM JST on May 9, followed closely by Bodo/Glimt vs. Tottenham at the same time. Fans can catch all the action exclusively on WOWOW channels and on WOWOW on Demand, which offers a comprehensive viewing experience for soccer enthusiasts.
The Europa League has provided plenty of excitement this season, and as these teams prepare for their crucial second legs, the anticipation continues to build. Will Manchester United solidify their place in the final, or can Athletic Bilbao pull off a stunning upset? Can Bodo/Glimt overturn their deficit against Tottenham, or will the Premier League side advance? The answers will unfold on the pitch as the teams battle for glory.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge victorious in these thrilling semi-final encounters.
