Ernesto Valverde has enthused at the added interest to this weekend’s Basque derby and remarked on the extra motivation his Athletic Bilbao side have.
Athletic travel out to Anoeta to face rivals Real Sociedad in the first Basque derby of the season, with the sides respectively sat fourth and fifth in La Liga.
For the visitors, the opportunity to stretch their advantage over their close rivals in the race for Champions League qualification to seven points cannot be forgotten.
“The game has many attractions and meets all the conditions that we would like this derby to have every year,” Valverde commented to reporters today.
“Favourites for the result should be put to one side in such meetings, but perhaps Real are little more for being at home.
“We cannot ignore the League standings, as we know we can take a big step in this game with a result. We are especially motivated to be strong and to show our best side.
“In such games, there is a part that is played with the head, but the heart also matters a lot.
“We must be able to overcome the pressure from their fans and show what this team has and what it can do.
“It is true that we can handle possession and that La Real are very dangerous with spaces on the counter-attack, so we will have to foresee that and alleviate it. We must be careful when finishing moves as we could have problems including strategic plays in their favour.”
