‘Surprised him’ – Manchester United were stunned by Athletic Bilbao and Marcelo Bielsa’s shock training tactic
Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao after their last visit to Old Trafford. The Spanish side saw off Manchester United over two legs during the 2011/12 season. Ferguson was ‘surprised’ by Bielsa’s Bilbao back in 2012Getty United were stunned by their Spanish opponents in the Europa League last 16Getty Bilbao won home and away against the Red Devils in the last 16 of the Europa League 13 years ago. Their victory included a 3-2 win at Old Trafford in the first leg of the tie. The performance saw the visitors dubbed the ‘owners of Old Trafford’ by local Basque press. Meanwhile, Bielsa was hailed by Ferguson after employing a surprise training approach ahead of the match. The Argentine coach had his players train on matchday in a bid to ensure they better understood his game plan. Bielsa hoped it would allow them conserve energy during the match by being better prepared. He later reflected on beating Ferguson eight years on from their meeting ahead of taking Leeds to Old Trafford in 2020. Bielsa told reporters: “He gave me praise that I never forgot. He said he wasn’t surprised that Athletic had won. “He also said he wasn’t surprised how much our team ran to be on equal terms with them. “What did surprise him was on the day of the game, in the morning, my team had trained for an hour-and-a-half. I never forgot that comment from him. Bielsa’s meeting with Ferguson and the praise he received stuck with him after the matchGetty Bilbao’s players trained just hours before securing a 3-2 victory at Old TraffordGetty “There is something that justifies training on the day of the game. Of course, the training consumes some energy that would be needed in the game. “But that training session showed the players where to run, it co-ordinated them. “That allowed them to run less in the game because they were in the correct positions.” Ferguson had been full of praise for Bielsa’s side following their first leg performance. Following the match, the legendary United boss admitted: “It was an outstanding performance by them, not only in their ability, but their energy was unbelievable. “The highest stats of any team that has played at Old Trafford in the last 10 years, in terms of the distance run. That is great credit to the desire of the team. “They are very determined and organised, with a great belief in themselves. That is the hallmark of their coach. He has instilled these qualities in his team.” The magnitude of not only facing Ferguson but beating him was not lost on Bielsa as he recalled their two-legged clash. He added: “I have noted down many memories with respect to that game against Manchester United. “Anything I say about Ferguson is just to confirm everything that he has already done. And of course, what Ferguson means to all his colleagues. I have noted that anyone in the presence of Ferguson is like receiving a medal for that person.” Bilbao followed up their first leg triumph by winning 2-1 on home soil in the second leg to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory. They would go on to reach the final before losing 3-0 to Atletico Madrid. Bilbao were victorious in the second leg on home soil as they dumped United outGetty As for Bielsa, he spent two years in charge between 2011 and 2013, with his first campaign also including a run to the Copa del Rey final. United once again take on Bilbao in the semi-finals of this season’s Europa League. Old Trafford hosts the first leg on Thursday before the return match at the San Mames in Bilbao next week. The winner will face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in the final on May 21, with Bilbao’s stadium once again serving as the host venue.
Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao after their last visit to Old Trafford.
The Spanish side saw off Manchester United over two legs during the 2011/12 season.
Bilbao won home and away against the Red Devils in the last 16 of the Europa League 13 years ago.
Their victory included a 3-2 win at Old Trafford in the first leg of the tie.
The performance saw the visitors dubbed the ‘owners of Old Trafford’ by local Basque press.
Meanwhile, Bielsa was hailed by Ferguson after employing a surprise training approach ahead of the match.
The Argentine coach had his players train on matchday in a bid to ensure they better understood his game plan.
Bielsa hoped it would allow them conserve energy during the match by being better prepared.
He later reflected on beating Ferguson eight years on from their meeting ahead of taking Leeds to Old Trafford in 2020.
Bielsa told reporters: “He gave me praise that I never forgot. He said he wasn’t surprised that Athletic had won.
“He also said he wasn’t surprised how much our team ran to be on equal terms with them.
“What did surprise him was on the day of the game, in the morning, my team had trained for an hour-and-a-half. I never forgot that comment from him.
“There is something that justifies training on the day of the game. Of course, the training consumes some energy that would be needed in the game.
“But that training session showed the players where to run, it co-ordinated them.
“That allowed them to run less in the game because they were in the correct positions.”
Ferguson had been full of praise for Bielsa’s side following their first leg performance.
Following the match, the legendary United boss admitted: “It was an outstanding performance by them, not only in their ability, but their energy was unbelievable.
“The highest stats of any team that has played at Old Trafford in the last 10 years, in terms of the distance run. That is great credit to the desire of the team.
“They are very determined and organised, with a great belief in themselves. That is the hallmark of their coach. He has instilled these qualities in his team.”
The magnitude of not only facing Ferguson but beating him was not lost on Bielsa as he recalled their two-legged clash.
He added: “I have noted down many memories with respect to that game against Manchester United.
“Anything I say about Ferguson is just to confirm everything that he has already done. And of course, what Ferguson means to all his colleagues. I have noted that anyone in the presence of Ferguson is like receiving a medal for that person.”
Bilbao followed up their first leg triumph by winning 2-1 on home soil in the second leg to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory.
They would go on to reach the final before losing 3-0 to Atletico Madrid.
As for Bielsa, he spent two years in charge between 2011 and 2013, with his first campaign also including a run to the Copa del Rey final.
United once again take on Bilbao in the semi-finals of this season’s Europa League.
Old Trafford hosts the first leg on Thursday before the return match at the San Mames in Bilbao next week.
The winner will face either Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt in the final on May 21, with Bilbao’s stadium once again serving as the host venue.
