Marcelo Bielsa does not see that Paris Saint-Germain’s elimination of Valencia from Europe will affect Los Che’s performance against his Athletic Bilbao.
Valencia travel out to San Mames this Sunday lunchtime off the back of a midweek Champions League Last 16 exit at the hands of PSG, 3-2 on aggregate.
For Bielsa, though, the mindset of Athletic’s opponents this weekend will not be different.
“The result against PSG is totally independent,” declared the Argentine tactician to reporters today.
“If they had won, then they would be motivated or relaxed and if they had lost, then they would be down, needing to bounce back and eager to defend their Champions League qualification hopes in the League.
“Any result provides arguments. In any case, victorious or not, they are an opponent with individuals and a team of the highest level.
“Would Valencia be tired going into this game? Teams are ready to play twice a week at the same pace, something they have been doing for the last five years.
“We will always try to impose our style of play regardless of whether our opponent is in better or worse condition to try and counter it.
“Valencia have been in Europe for the past five years, this is a habit for them, so they will not be affected.”
Bielsa was asked of the importance a win would have for Athletic’s hopes of improving their current situation. They sit 14th in La Liga, six points above the relegation zone.
“If we get points this weekend then it softens our situation and if we lose then it aggravates it as if the situation remains numerically the same. Neither winning or losing at this time will fix what we are trying to solve.
“Feelings of optimism multiply with victory whilst in defeat it is otherwise. Winning is a must, for every time we fail, we suffer.”
Bielsa revealed his admiration for this weekend’s opposing Coach Ernesto Valverde.
“He’s a Coach to observe and he has aspects that every Coach would like to have. I notice it more than results.
“The best Coaches have good or bad results, but it is how they work to their resources that wins them admiration.”
