Athletic is heading to the RCDE Stadium this Sunday to face off against Espanyol – a team that, let’s be honest, hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire away from home. However, they’ve been pretty reliable in their own stadium, where they haven’t lost since October. Ernesto Valverde is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead and has already touched on this in the pre-match press conference.
Assessing the Opposition
As Valverde pointed out, “it’s true that outside the home they haven’t taken many points, but in their stadium, they’re a powerful team. They haven’t lost since October, they’ve achieved some good results, and they’ve just beaten Madrid.” He also acknowledged that his team has always struggled against Espanyol away from home, but this Sunday’s match is crucial for both teams. You’ve got to wonder, can Athletic finally break their away hoodoo against Espanyol?
Team News and Injuries
On the team news front, Galarreta has already started training with the team, but Valverde is being cautious with him after a recent relapse. “We have to be careful with him,” he said. “We’re going to give him a bit more time. He’s just back, so we’re not going to risk it.” The other two players are already back to full fitness and will be included in the squad. As for Nico Williams, Valverde thinks he’s looking good, collaborating with the rest of the team and participating in training.
League Ambitions and the Champions League
When asked about the league, Valverde said, “we always try to improve our position. We look at both the teams above and below us. We don’t want to fall behind, and if we can catch up with the teams above us, even better.” However, he’s also aware that Barcelona and Villarreal are strong teams that won’t give up easily. As for the possibility of finishing fifth and qualifying for the Champions League, Valverde thinks it’s something that can change from day to day. “If we achieve it in the end, that’s great for everyone,” he said. “It’s also good for us and for Basque football that Real is doing well in Europe.”
Unbeaten Run and Upcoming Matches
Athletic has gone four months without losing in the league, but Valverde doesn’t want to dwell on it too much. “We’ve also lost in the Europa League and the Cup,” he reminded everyone. “The league is very even, and each match is complicated. The secret to our unbeaten run is not to think about it too much and focus on what’s coming next.” Óscar de Marcos also had some words of praise for his teammate Muniain, saying he’s been lucky to have had some great captains during his time at Athletic, including Muniain, Marcos, Gurpegui, and Aduriz. “Marcos has been at the club for 16 years, with incredible activity,” he said. “His figure transcends beyond the field, and he represents Athletic on many occasions.”