Rangers F.C. vs Athletic Bilbao Lineups – Confirmed Starting XI
Rangers F.C. and Athletic Club Bilbao played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Ibrox Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final on 10 April 2025. With both sides fielding strong lineups and clear tactical plans, the match left the tie wide open ahead of the return leg at San Mamés. For a detailed breakdown of the confirmed starting XIs and tactical setup, see our Rangers vs Athletic Club lineups and formations guide.
Barry Ferguson, managing Rangers, opted for a mix of youth and experience. Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club arrived in Glasgow with a full-strength squad, relying on their proven Basque core. The goalless result reflected disciplined defensive work from both teams.
For supporters tracking the action, the confirmed lineups provided clarity on team selection and formation choices. The match was closely contested, with Rangers pushing late and earning a corner in the 12th minute of second-half stoppage time.
What are the starting lineups for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao?
Rangers F.C. vs Athletic Bilbao (UEFA Europa League QF 1st Leg)
10 April 2025, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
0-0
Rangers 4-2-3-1, Athletic Club 4-2-3-1
- Rangers started 18-year-old academy product Bailey Rice, a decision described as a “head-scratcher” by Rangersnews.uk.
- Liam Kelly earned the start in goal for Rangers, with first-choice Jack Butland on the substitutes bench.
- Athletic Club’s squad featured both Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams as key attacking threats from wide areas.
- The match saw only one yellow card, shown to Rangers defender Robin Pröpper in the 13th minute.
- Rangers pushed for a late winner, creating a corner in the 90th+12th minute that was ultimately cleared.
- The 0-0 scoreline set up a decisive second leg at San Mamés on 17 April 2025, which Athletic Club won 2-0.
| Team | Starting XI | Formation | Key Player | Subs Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | Kelly, Pröpper, Balogun, Sterling, Yilmaz, Rice, Raskin, Tavernier (capt.), Hagi, Dessers, Cerný | 4-2-3-1 | James Tavernier | Barron, Jefté, Igmane, Bajrami, McCausland |
| Athletic Club | Agirrezabala, Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri, De Galarreta, Prados, I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams, Guruzeta | 4-2-3-1 | Iñaki Williams | Simón, Unai Gómez, Djaló, Jauregizar, Serrano |
| Source: UEFA.com official lineups and Sky Sports team sheets. | ||||
What formation and tactics are Rangers and Athletic Club using?
Both managers set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, but the personnel choices revealed different tactical priorities. Rangers relied on defensive solidity with a back four of Pröpper, Balogun, Sterling, and Yilmaz, while Athletic Club used a familiar back line of Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, and Yuri.
Rangers’ approach under Barry Ferguson
Ferguson emphasized a compact defensive block, with Bailey Rice and Nicolas Raskin sitting in front of the back four. James Tavernier, operating from right-back, was tasked with providing width and delivering set pieces. Ianis Hagi played centrally behind Cyriel Dessers, looking to link play and create chances.
The decision to start Rice, an 18-year-old midfielder, over more experienced options like Connor Barron raised questions. The selection suggested a focus on energy and pressing ability in the middle of the park.
Athletic Club’s structure under Ernesto Valverde
Valverde deployed a compact 4-2-3-1 with the Williams brothers, Nico and Iñaki, operating on the flanks. Oihan Sancet played centrally behind Gorka Guruzeta. The double pivot of Ruiz de Galarreta and Prados provided defensive cover while allowing the full-backs to push forward.
Athletic Club’s approach was direct, using the pace of the Williams brothers to stretch Rangers’ defensive line. The Basque side created few clear chances but maintained control in midfield throughout long stretches of the match.
The key battle on the right flank saw Rangers captain James Tavernier matched up against Nico Williams. Williams’ dribbling ability forced Tavernier into a more defensive role than usual, limiting his trademark forward runs and crosses. For further analysis of the starting XIs and tactical setups, consult our Rangers vs Athletic Club lineups and formations guide.
What were the lineups for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao in 2022?
Information about specific lineups from any potential 2022 meeting between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao is not clearly documented in the available sources. No prior competitive head-to-head encounters between these two clubs were explicitly noted in the 2025 Europa League quarter-final coverage from UEFA.com or other match previews.
The 2025 quarter-final tie appears to be their first competitive meeting in UEFA competition. While references to 2022 dates were considered, no verifiable lineup data for a 2022 clash was found across ESPN, UEFA, Sky Sports, and club sources.
It remains possible that the two clubs met in a pre-season friendly or other non-competitive fixture in previous years, but no official record has been found.
What are the key stats for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao lineups?
The starting XIs for both teams revealed distinct profiles in terms of experience, age distribution, and tactical roles. Rangers’ lineup leaned on youth in midfield, while Athletic Club’s squad was built around established internationals.
| Statistic | Rangers | Athletic Club |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-2-3-1 | 4-2-3-1 |
| Goalkeeper | Liam Kelly | Julen Agirrezabala |
| Captain | James Tavernier | Iñaki Williams (likely) |
| Youngest starter | Bailey Rice (18) | Nico Williams (22) |
| Key attacking threat | Cyriel Dessers (target man) | Iñaki Williams (pace and movement) |
| Subs used (total) | 5 | 5 |
James Tavernier, Rangers’ captain and right-back, has been a consistent source of goals and assists in European competition. Against Athletic Club, his defensive responsibilities limited his attacking output. For Athletic Club, Iñaki Williams’ pace on the counter-attack was a constant concern for the Rangers back line.
The exact starting XI for Athletic Club in the first leg was not fully detailed across all sources. While UEFA.com and Sky Sports published official lineups, some reports listed Unai Simón as goalkeeper while others named Julen Agirrezabala. Minor discrepancies may exist.
When did Rangers and Athletic Bilbao last meet in a competitive match?
- — Rangers 0-0 Athletic Club (UEFA Europa League QF 1st Leg, Ibrox Stadium). Confirmed lineups published by UEFA.com and Sky Sports.
- — Athletic Club 2-0 Rangers (UEFA Europa League QF 2nd Leg, San Mamés). Athletic advanced on aggregate. Lineups available via UEFA.com.
No earlier competitive meetings between Rangers and Athletic Club were documented in the sources used for this article. Their head-to-head history in UEFA competition appears to begin with this quarter-final tie.
Is the Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao lineup fully confirmed?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Rangers’ starting XI and formation (4-2-3-1) were published by UEFA.com and Sky Sports on 10 April 2025. | Minor late changes to either lineup due to fitness tests cannot be fully ruled out, though no such changes were reported. |
| Athletic Club’s 24-man traveling squad was confirmed by athletic-club.eus before the match. | Whether Unai Simón or Julen Agirrezabala started in goal is not entirely consistent across all match reports. |
| Both teams used five substitutes during the match, as documented by ESPN and UEFA. | The exact minute-by-minute substitution timeline is not available in all sources. |
What was the tactical context of the 0-0 draw at Ibrox?
The match was characterized by disciplined defensive organization from both sides. Rangers, playing at home, were expected to take the initiative but Athletic Club’s compact midfield shape limited space for creative players like Ianis Hagi. Rangers’ best opportunities came from set pieces and late pressure, including a corner in the 90th+12th minute.
Athletic Club’s game plan centered on absorbing pressure and releasing the Williams brothers in transition. While they struggled to create clear chances, their defensive structure frustrated Rangers throughout the 90 minutes. The result left the tie finely balanced before the second leg in Bilbao.
Both teams rotated their squads to some degree due to domestic league commitments. Rangers were without injured players Danilo, Cortes, and Matondo. Athletic Club were without Yeray and De Marcos.
Where can fans verify the official Rangers vs Athletic Club lineups?
“Rangers vs Athletic Club: UEFA Europa League Quarter-finals. View all the latest squad list information.”
— UEFA.com (first instance already linked)
“View the starting lineups and subs for the Rangers vs Ath Club match on 10.04.2025.”
— Sky Sports (first instance already linked)
Official club websites also published squad information. Rangers.co.uk confirmed Barry Ferguson’s XI for the Ibrox clash, while athletic-club.eus listed the 24 players who traveled from Bilbao. For the second leg, UEFA published the full lineups on their match page for game 2044831.
What happened in the first leg between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao?
Rangers and Athletic Club played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final on 10 April 2025 at Ibrox Stadium. The result left the tie open, with Athletic Club ultimately winning 2-0 at home in the second leg to advance to the semi-finals. For a detailed breakdown of the confirmed starting XIs and tactical setup, see our Rangers vs Athletic Club lineups and formations guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao lineup confirmed?
Yes, the official lineups were published on UEFA.com and Sky Sports as of 10 April 2025.
Who is injured for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao?
Rangers were without Danilo, Cortes, and Matondo. Athletic Club were without Yeray and De Marcos.
What time did the Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao match kick off?
The match kicked off at 20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST at Ibrox Stadium.
Where can I watch the match on TV?
The match was broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
What formation did Rangers use against Athletic Club?
Rangers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Barry Ferguson.
Who scored for Athletic Club in the second leg?
Athletic Club won the second leg 2-0 at San Mamés, though specific goal scorers were not detailed in the sources used for this article.
How many substitutes did each team use?
Both Rangers and Athletic Club used five substitutes during the first leg.
Was Bailey Rice a surprise starter for Rangers?
Yes, Rangersnews.uk described the inclusion of the 18-year-old academy product as a “head-scratcher” given that more experienced options like Connor Barron were available.
Did Rangers and Athletic Bilbao meet in 2022?
No confirmed competitive meeting between the two clubs in 2022 was found in the available sources. Their first documented UEFA encounter appears to be the 2025 quarter-final.
What was the final aggregate score?
Athletic Club won 2-0 on aggregate after the second leg at San Mamés.
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