Porto boss Julen Lopetegui has urged caution ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.
The Spaniard, who coached his country’s Under-21 side to European Championship glory in 2013, knows victory over the Basques would guarantee qualification to the next stage, although he is taking nothing for granted.
“We are not counting on anything because that won’t help us to win the game, so we must be cautious,” he told assembled reporters.
“We’re facing a great team and have to concentrate on the match because Athletic have undoubtedly improved since we beat them two weeks ago.
“Victories always help and on Sunday they overcame a great Sevilla team.”
Lopetegui said he does not attach too much importance to the absence of Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
“If Aritz doesn’t play then someone else will. At Dragao it was Guillermo and he did well, so I’m sure Athletic will field a very competitive team because they aren’t lacking players in any department.
“The fact they’ve taken just one point from their three games means nothing as I still consider them the strongest opponents in the group.
“However, we are a team that is doing well, is growing and getting good results. We are not a team that will surprise people as we’ll just carry on doing what we’ve been doing.
“We are a young team that wants to improve and compete in all competitions, with all the humility in the world but also with all the ambition in the world,” stated Lopetegui.
