The Europa League final takes place in Bilbao on Wednesday, and government officials are ‘nervous’ as thousands of Manchester United and Tottenham fans are set to travel over the coming days.
It will be the fourth time two teams from the same country have contested for the Europa League final, with Tottenham Hotspur named as the designated home team against Manchester United.
Thousands of United fans have planned alternative routes to Bilbao for the final, which is set to be a brilliant occasion.
Although both teams are destined to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table, they now have one last opportunity to secure Champions League qualification.
Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season. Twice in the Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup. Ruben Amorim will be adamant that his team doesn’t let them win a fourth time in the Europa League final at the San Mames Stadium.
Those travelling to the match are advised to check out fan guides to Bilbao, as the city struggles to host everyone travelling, with many deciding to stay in neighbouring towns.
It’s a great opportunity for the Basque region to welcome more people, and they will benefit financially as a result.
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Basque security advisor ‘nervous’ about Europa League final
The Basque Government is braced for thousands of football fans in Bilbao.
Many of United’s amazing travelling support have already visited Bilbao this season, after facing Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-finals.
However, those fans will notice a big difference in the price of getting to Bilbao for the final. Not that it will stop them from following their team.
Many will travel to the Basque County without a ticket for the game due to limited availability.
The San Mames can hold over 53,000 fans, but just 29,000 tickets will go to fans of United and Tottenham while the remaining tickets will be allocated elsewhere by UEFA.
Those without tickets will likely watch the game in local bars since the fan zone outside San Mames Stadium will shut before kick-off.
There will be a mass police operation in place to ensure safety for everyone in attendance.
The security advisor for the Basque Government, Bingen Zupiria, admits he is feeling ‘nervous’ ahead of the final.
Speaking to SER Deportivos Bilbao, Zupiria said: “We are constantly reviewing the operation. I won’t hide the fact that I’m nervous; this job generates moments of anxiety.”
He added that they are working with police from the United Kingdom to ensure a safe event.
This will require the “largest security deployment” in the history of the Basque Country.
What did Ruben Amorim say about the Europa League final?
Speaking to the press during United’s media open day for the Europa League final, Amorim expressed his belief that the Red Devils will face a different challenge against Tottenham, compared to other teams they have met on their European run this season.
That is because United have struggled against English opposition in the Premier League, but they haven’t failed to break down teams across the continent.
“We’ll play a different game,” Amorim told reporters. “It’s not the same to play against Real Sociedad, or even Lyon or Athletic Bilbao. It’s going to be different. But we are prepared for that.
“The final is completely different, the context is different, the cup is there. We can see the cup. Even the last years with [Erik] ten Hag, with some problems, when they reach the final they were there. You guys know that. This team proved already that in the final they can step up and we know that.”