Team news

Bilbao aiming for double success Athletic Bilbao have their sights set on a cup double this season.

The Primera Liga outfit have already reached the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face the might of Barcelona in late May.

Of more immediate concern is Thursday night's first leg of their Europa League round of 32 clash with Lokomotiv Moscow in sub-zero temperatures in the Luzhniki Stadium.

Although Lokomotiv have not played a competitive match since mid-December, given the Russian winter break, Bilbao striker Iker Muniain is expecting a bitterly cold and tough encounter.

"They will be fresher, but this also brings with it a lack of rhythm that we already have which could be a big factor," said Muniain, whose side have lost just two of their last 14 matches in all competitions.

"What's clear is that it's going to be a very difficult game, but we're ready and focused on what awaits us, both with regard to the temperature and our opponents.

"We are going there with plenty of desire. Our objective is not only to get a goal, which would mean a lot for the return leg, but to go for the win.

"We want to do well in the Europa League, to get through the rounds, and hopefully we will get as far as in the Copa del Rey." Despite their lack of a recent competitive edge, Lokomotiv enjoyed a near month-long training camp in Lagos, Portugal, before heading back to Moscow at the weekend.

Lokomotiv struck 10 goals without reply in two friendlies, beating Atletico of Lison 4-0 and Lagos 6-0, the latter game seeing Roman Pavlyuchenko make his debut following his recent move from Spurs.

Slovakia defender Jan Durica said: "I think we are in perfect physical condition.

Lokomotiv Moscow vs Athletic Bilbao

Last modified 19:57 16/02/12

Lokomotiv steam to victory Lokomotiv Moscow mounted a second-half fightback to snatch a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie with Athletic Bilbao at the Luzhniki Stadium.

The Spaniards had defied sub-zero conditions to take a deserved half-time lead thanks to a 25th-minute strike from their star teenage winger Iker Muniain.

But Lokomotiv roared back after the break with Felipe Caicedo winning a 61st-minute penalty, converted by Dennis Glushakov, before scoring the winner himself 10 minutes later.

The freezing conditions did not inhibit Athletic in the opening half as they played some eye-catching football, while a subdued Lokomotiv spurned the two good chances they had.

Markel Susaeta forced the first save from Guilherme from the edge of the area and the Brazilian goalkeeper also needed to make a two stops inside a minute to keep out Oscar de Marcos and a Fernando Llorente header.

In between time Lokomotiv's Ecuadorian striker Caicedo missed the target from close range.

Athletic deserved their lead when Muniain netted on 25 minutes after a incisive run from Susaeta.

The winger raced through the home defence and had the presence of mind to then pick out the unmarked Muniain who had time to take a touch before firing in from 12 yards.

Lokomotiv missed a great chance to level just before the break when Maicon close-range shot was tipped wide.

The hosts were level on the hour though when Caicedo was brought down in the area by Jon Aurtenetxe. Glushakov then sent Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz the wrong way.

After being second best for long periods Lokomotiv then stole ahead on 72 minutes.

Renat Yanbayev delivered the cross which Caicedo perfectly placed into the far corner to give Iraizoz no chance.

Both sides could have scored in the closing stages with Lokomotiv denied a third by a brilliant close-range save from Iraizoz as he somehow kept out Gulashov's effort.