Athletic Bilbao Qualifies for Europa League, Faces Ligue 1 Team in Round of 16

Athletic Bilbao has qualified for the Europa League quarterfinals after defeating Rennes in their last match of the group stage. The Basque club will now face off against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

This is a significant achievement for Athletic Bilbao, as they have never previously reached this stage of European competition. The team's journey to the knockout stages was not without its challenges, however. They had to overcome a number of tough opponents throughout the group stage, including Ajax and Benfica.

The victory over Rennes was particularly important, as it ensured that Athletic Bilbao would finish in second place in Group D, behind only Paris Saint-Germain. This meant that they would be drawn into a more favorable draw in the knockout rounds, giving them a better chance of progressing further in the tournament.

In the round of 16, Athletic Bilbao will face off against Paris Saint-Germain, one of the most successful teams in world football. The French giants have won the Champions League three times in the past six years, and have also reached the final on several occasions.

Despite the daunting prospect of facing such a formidable opponent, Athletic Bilbao will be determined to make a statement and progress further in the Europa League. They have shown throughout the group stage that they are capable of competing at this level, and they will be hoping to go all the way in Europe once again.