Team news

Bilbao eye qualification Athletic Bilbao have a place in the next round of the Europa League in their sights as they make the hop down to the island of Madeira to take on CD Nacional, although they will need a helping hand from Werder Bremen if they are to guarantee themselves a top-two finish.

With two wins from their opening three games, Athletic are just a point behind Group L leaders Werder (seven points), four ahead of third-placed Austria Vienna and five clear of their next opponents, Nacional.

That means Athletic will secure their spot in the last 32 with another victory at the Estadio da Madeira, providing Werder defeat Austria in tomorrow's other match Athletic centre-back Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora knows there are plenty of benefits for getting through as soon as possible, saying: "It would be good to achieve qualification in this game because then we could approach the final two gams in a different manner, as well as focusing more on the league and cup.

"Beating Nacional would allow us to be more relaxed." The Basque side have had a mixed start to the season, winning their opening four Primera Division and Europa League fixtures, then badly losing their way with six defeats in eight games, before beating Atletico Madrid in their last match to climb back up into the top 10 of La Liga.

That form is in contrast to Nacional, who started poorly with just one win on their opening seven competitive matches but since then have won five in eight, leaving Manuel Machado's men in fifth spot in the Portuguese top flight.

The damage may already be done in Europe though, as defeats to Werder (3-2) and Athletic (2-1), as well as a 1-1 draw with Austria means the islanders are in serious danger of an early exit from the competition.

Machado, whose have lost three of their four European matches at home, has urged his side's supporters to rally behind the team tomorrow.

"What I ask is that they also believe," he said. "That they swap their sofas for a seat at the stadium and be our 12th man, helping the team to win.

Nacional vs Athletic Bilbao

Last modified 22:37 05/11/09

Bilbao frustrated by Nacional Athletic Bilbao will have to wait to book their place in the last 32 of the Europa League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Nacional in Group L.

The Spaniards dominated the game but Nacional took the lead through Edgar's 64th minute penalty.

But after Miguel Nuno Pinto was sent off 11 minutes from time, Athletic finally made the breakthrough with Joseba Exteberria equalising from the penalty spot.

However, a point is not enough for Athletic to go through just yet as they sit five points above Austria Vienna with two games to go.

Athletic, showing flashes of the flair which has marked their play so often this season, began brightly, but Igor Gabilondo saw his early shot saved by Rafael Bracali.

Andoni Iraolo fired wide from the edge of the area before Bracali made a fine save to push Xabier Castillo's shot over the bar.

Moments later, Fernando Llorente struck the post but still they could not find a way past the goalkeeper.

The first half ended with Nacional on the attack, but Gorka Iraizoz held Ruben Micael's header.

Bracali was kept busy in the second half too, with David Lopez testing him early on with a couple of shots from the edge of the area.

The hosts broke forward just before the hour mark, but Micael's shot was saved before Aldekoaotalora Ustaritz charged down a drive from Luis Alberto.

Moments later, the hosts took a shock lead.

Having been on the back foot for so long, they were gifted the opportunity when Iraizoz fouled Nejc Pecnik in the area and Edgar placed the penalty inside the right-hand post.

The goal seemed to stun Athletic, and they struggled to get going again.

However, they were given hope in the 79th minute when Nuno Pinto received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in bringing down Joseba Etxeberria.

With the extra man, it would not take them long to get level.

It came in the 85th minute and, like Nacional's opener, arrived from the penalty spot.

Rafik Halliche hauled down Diaz de Cerio and Etxeberria stepped up to fire into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

Athletic were now looking for a winner, and Bracali had to make a fine save to keep out Carlos Gurpegi's header.

The goalkeeper then used his feet to repel De Cerio's shot as they settled for a draw.