Athletic Bilbao Advances to Europa League Quarterfinals with Runner-up Position, Set to Meet French Premier League Team in Round of 16

Athletic Bilbao has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa League after securing their second runner-up position this season.

The Basque outfit faced a tough challenge against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the last round of fixtures, but they managed to secure a 2-1 victory and move on to the next stage of the competition.

With the win, Athletic Bilbao will now face off against a French Premier League team in the round of 16. The club's manager, Iñaki Estévez, is excited about the prospect of playing in Europe's premier club competition once again.

"We're very happy to have reached the quarter-finals," Estévez said. "We've worked hard all season and it's nice to see our efforts paying off. We'll be looking forward to facing a strong opponent in the round of 16."

The club's fans were also delighted by their success, with many expressing their excitement at the prospect of seeing Athletic Bilbao compete in Europe's top club competition for the first time since 2014.

"It's been a long wait for us to reach the quarter-finals," one fan said. "But we've worked hard all season and we believe in ourselves. We're going to give it everything we've got and hopefully we can make it far in the tournament."

For Estévez, the achievement is a testament to his players' hard work and dedication. He knows that the club will need to be at their best if they want to progress further in the competition.

"I'm proud of my team," he said. "They've given everything they've got and they deserve to be here. Now it's up to us to take advantage of this opportunity and go as far as possible."

Athletic Bilbao's journey so far has been filled with ups and downs, but the club's fans know that they have what it takes to achieve great things. With their Europa League campaign set to continue, there's no doubt that Athletic Bilbao will be a force to be reckoned with in European football.