Facing a one-goal deficit after last week's first leg, Athletic Bilbao will try to keep their Europa League dream alive by beating Roma on Thursday.

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Despite Inaki Williams nodding Athletic Club ahead from close range at Stadio Olimpico, the Basque side's lead did not last long, as Angelino fired home Roma's equaliser soon after.

When Yeray Alvarez was later sent off for receiving a second yellow card, the visitors were left hanging on for a draw, but their hosts then sent them back to Bilbao empty-handed by scoring with virtually the last kick.

Athletic's frustration continued on Sunday, when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Mallorca in La Liga; following an even first half, they conceded just after the restart, before Nico Williams struck back moments later.

Nonetheless, they are still on track for Champions League qualification, as Ernesto Valverde's men lead fifth-placed Villarreal by five points, having played one game more.

Though they have now produced two defeats and one draw from their last three matches in all competitions, Athletic still boast the third-best home record throughout Spain's top flight this season, averaging just over two points per game.

Furthermore, they have won all four Europa League fixtures at San Mames in the current campaign, and - either home or away - have scored at least once in all of their last 17.

Across all European competitions, a fine record of eight wins from 10 home games against Italian teams also suggests that history will be on their side when Roma come to town.

Yet, the Serie A side hold a precious advantage courtesy of Eldor Shomurodov's last-gasp intervention at the Olimpico, with his 94th-minute strike sealing a dramatic comeback.

As a result, Roma now have the most victories in the long history of UEFA's second-tier club competition, with 97 wins from 185 games.

Having progressed from each of their last nine European knockout ties when winning the first leg - a streak dating back to 2019 - they can justifiably claim that precedent points to a place in the quarter-finals.

While Athletic strode straight through to this round, the Giallorossi had to come through a nervy playoff with Porto, before avoiding city rivals Lazio in the draw. Now, they are intent on setting up a last-eight clash with either Rangers or a Fenerbahce side led by former boss Jose Mourinho.

Still unbeaten in Serie A this year, Claudio Ranieri's team continued their recent success streak on Sunday, as Matias Soule's early goal against Empoli made it both 12 league games without defeat and six wins on the spin.

Since Ranieri's return in November, only Italian league leaders Inter Milan have won more times across all competitions, and Roma are now on the fringe of fighting for a top-four finish.

Of course, the 73-year-old coach would love to ride such a wave and return to Bilbao in May, signing off an incredible career with one last piece of silverware.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Nunez, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Ruiz De Galarreta; I. Williams, Gomez, N. Williams; Sannadi

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Rensch, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Cristante, Angelino; Dybala, Baldanzi; Dovbyk