Facts on the first ever meeting between Borussia and Bilbao | OneFootball

Scenario: Borussia started the new Champions League season with a 4-4 draw away to Juventus, while Bilbao lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal in their opening match.

Home & away: The Black & Yellows have lost only one of their last 18 home games in the UEFA Champions League, recording 11 wins and six draws. The goal difference here is 37 scored to 11 conceded. They have let in a goal in only seven of those 18 home games. Bilbao reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season, but won only two of their seven away games (two draws, three defeats). In La Liga, Athletic were one of the four strongest away teams in the 2024/25 season after Barcelona, Villarreal, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.

Record: In their 316th European match, BVB will face a Spanish opponent for the 45th time, the first time against Athletic Club. Their home record against La Liga clubs is ten wins, seven draws and five defeats. Most recently, there was a 3-1 home win against Barcelona. Bilbao have lost only four of their 14 matches against German clubs and are unbeaten against Bundesliga sides since a 3-0 home defeat to Werder Bremen in December 2009 (four wins, two draws). However, the Basques have won only two of their seven away games in Germany.

Bilbao facts: This is the third appearance in the UEFA Champions League for the eight-time Spanish champions (most recently in 1984) and 24-time (!) cup winners, following 1998 and 2014. Last season, the team led by superstar Nico Williams reached the semi-finals of the Europa League (losing to Manchester United and finished fourth in the league. Bilbao are one of three clubs, alongside Villarreal and Bodø/Glimt, against whom BVB are playing a competitive match for the first time in this Champions League season, even though the Basques have been in the Spanish top flight since 1928 and have played 217 matches in European competition. The Basque club, which reached the quarter-finals on their European debut in 1956/57, has won only three of their 13 Champions League matches (four draws, six defeats).