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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

The record Rangers must overcome to topple Athletic Bilbao

Rangers Athletic Bilbao Athletic Bilbao (Organization) Europa League Napoli Paris Saint-Germain

Rangers will have to break down the meanest defence in Europe's top leagues on Thursday when they face Athletic Bilbao.

Barry Ferguson's side will welcome the La Liga high-fliers to Ibrox for the first leg of the Europa League quarter finals on Thursday evening.

But they will have to break down a rock solid defence if they are to take any kind of advantage to the Basque region.

Athletic have conceded just 24 goals in 30 league games and they can boast the joint-stingiest defence in any of Europe's top five leagues.

Only Atletico Madrid have the same record as Bilbao and they are ahead of Napoli, Getafe, PSG and Arsenal.

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And the Spaniards are even more formidable at their home, ahead of next week's return.

They have conceded just nine goals at their San Mames home in 15 matches, which have included six clean sheets.

Next best in Europe is Nottingham Forest who have conceded only ten goals and they are also ahead of Barcelona, PSG, Auxerre and Napoli with 11 goals conceded.

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