'Too much of a punishment' - Bilbao Boss Blames Referee After Heavy Defeat to Manchester United

Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde

'Too much of a punishment' - Bilbao Boss Blames Referee After Heavy Defeat to Manchester United

Abigael Wafula 10:11 - 02.05.2025

Manchester United took control of their Europa League semifinal with a commanding 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, though the match was marred by controversy over refereeing decisions.

Manchester United dominated the first leg of their Europa League semifinal match against Athletic Bilbao, securing a 3-0 win in their away match.

Casemiro opened the Red Devils’ campaign with a goal in the 30th minute, followed by a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 37th. Fernandes then sealed the win with his second goal in the 47th minute.

However, just like any other match, this was not without controversy, as Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde expressed disappointment in how the Norwegian referee Espen Eskas officiated the match.

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He expressed his anger at how the referee sent off Daniel Vivian for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund. He also pointed out that the decision to award a penalty to Manchester United and let Bruno Fernandes handle it was also unfair.

“It's been too much of a punishment, not only by the fact that we went 2-0 down but because we had to play with one man down. We have challenged a handball by Garnacho, but it’s the ref who needs to referee,” Valverde said as quoted by the Daily Mail.

Ruben Amorim’s message to Manchester United

Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim celebrates following Manchester United's comeback against Lyon in the Europa League. (Credit: Imago).

Even after their win in the first leg, Ruben Amorim has warned his side against complacency, noting that they still need to show up for the second leg of the match.

He explained that, having been beaten at home, Athletic Bilbao will be out for revenge in their away match at Old Trafford and will not let everything go down without a fight.

He added that no one expected them to win the match, especially after their recent struggles in the Premier League.

“There is no away goals rule, so anything can change, and that is my message to the players. I think they have to think about the second leg, and they have to think more about the first 20 minutes than the rest of the game. We struggled a lot at the start, but the goal and red card changed the game,” Ruben Amorim said.

Manchester United face Athletic Bilbao in the second leg of the match at Old Trafford on Thursday, May 8. The team that progresses will face the winner of the semi-final tie between Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt in the final on Wednesday, May 21 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao.