Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde admits the Champions League Group H clash with Porto on Wednesday is a do-or-die situation.
The Basques are currently bottom of the group with just one point and know that failure to beat the Portuguese outfit at San Mames will see them go out of the competition.
Boss Valverde admits that not even third place and qualification for the Europa League would soften the blow of a disappointing exit.
“I don’t want to finish third and we’re going all out to qualify,” the 50-year-old told a Press conference.
“We also want to enjoy it because it’s been difficult to get here. We don’t have to look far because the only choice we have is to win.
“We have more obligation to do that than Porto because losing would mean saying goodbye to the competition, but I don’t consider it a handicap and the onus is on us to win.
“When this team is under pressure it responds well and that’s the kind of incentive we need. I’m sure it’s going to be a good match.”
Athletic will go into the game without top scorer Aritz Aduriz, who picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win over Sevilla at the weekend, but Valverde is looking on the positive side.
“We have won before without Aritz in the side and he will be replaced by Guillermo, who is someone that gives everything on the pitch.
“Because of Aritz’s age I knew that I’d need to bring younger players in one day and that time has arrived,” he declared.
