Berlin: German side Schalke suffered a 2-4 home loss against Spanish club Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of Europa League quarterfinals.

Bilbao sealed an impressive win Thursday over Schalke as they turned a 1-2 deficit into a 4-2 away win in front of 53,883 spectators at Veltins Arena.

Both sides started slowly but with 20 minutes into the match Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente shocked the host with the opener. Two minutes later Schalke scored the equalizer through veteran Spanish striker Raul Gonzalez, who poked home a diagonal pass at the near post, to make it 1-1.

After the interval Schalke took the lead as striker Raul sealed his brace when he volleyed home from 17 meters with 59 minutes on the clock. Schalke frantically pressed for another goal but all their efforts remained unrewarded.

In the 73rd minute, Bilbao striker Llorente astonished Schalke when he headed home a corner cross at near post to level the score to 2-2.

In a frantic last ten minutes Bilbao turned the match owing to goals by midfielder Oscar de Marco and youngster striker Iker Muniain to wrap the 4-2 away win.

"I hope that we have learned from this defeat. Many players have not obtained their full potential", Schalke coach Huub Stevens was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Schalke have it all to do when they go to Spain next week. Bilbao have one foot in the semi-finals with four away goals to their name. (IANS)