Trabzonspor - Athletic Bilbao (Uefa Cup Preview)
The draw was not particularly kind to Athletic Bilbao when after six years away from European competition, they were handed a Uefa Cup first round tie against Turkish league leaders Trabzonspor.
We saw last season in the Uefa Cup that the Superlig clubs are more than capable of holding their own in this competition, even if genuine progress in the Champions League still eludes them. Gerclerbirligi and Gazientepspor both reached the latter stages.
This season has the potential to turn out like many others for Athletic Bilbao. They’ve signed no one of note, but have managed to hold on to the likes of Ismael Urzaiz, Tiko, Joseba Etxeberria and Yeste. Expect the club to again challenge for a Uefa Cup place.
They may also be capable of an eye-catching run in Europe. Especially with their new, and controversial psychedelic shirt that will be on show this season!
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Trabzonspor: Petkovic; Emrah, Tayfun, D’Haene, Lee Eul Yong; Hasan, Hüseyin, Thjis, Celalettin; Tekke, Karadeniz.
Athletic Bilbao: Aranzubia; Javi González, Luis Prieto, Karanka, Del Horno; Orbaiz, Gurpegui; Iraola, Yeste, Joseba Etxeberria; Urzaiz
Source: goal.com
