Ernesto Valverde has said beating Real Madrid is more important to Athletic Bilbao than merely playing well.
The sides meet on Sunday with Athletic going into the game in poor form, taking only four points from their opening six Primera games and failing to win in the Champions League, suffering a midweek defeat to BATE Borisov.
Asked at his pre-match Press conference if he would rather face different opposition considering the problems afflicting his side, Valverde replied that it’s pointless to think that way.
“It’s hard to take a game like the other day [against BATE]. We must look forward,” AS reports the Coach saying.
“Madrid is our next game and it’s a difficult opportunity. It’s an opportunity for a lot of things – to try to win but also find the good feelings.
“I’d prefer three points more than one point or competing well. If they beat us, we have to fight.
“When you play Madrid or Barcelona the worst thing you can do is give up chances. This year Barca beat us but we were competitive.
“Last year I felt Madrid were too comfortable in beating us. But we don’t want to look good, we want the points. That’s first.”
