Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde says his team must respect opponents Torino in the last 32 of the Europa League.
At the same time, the 50-year-old described the Serie A outfit as one of the classic teams of Italian football.
“Torino are one of the classic sides in their country, with a history that deserves respect, and that’s something we must take into account,” Valverde told Bilbao’s official website.
“Their League is not going through its best moment but those are circumstances we’ve also found ourselves in.
“Although they are not a free-scoring team they have good strikers, such as Quaglirella and Amauri. However, it’s still a long time until the tie is played.”
Los Leones’ captain Carlos Gurpegi, meanwhile, believes Bilbao will have to be at their very best to make it through to the last 16, although he is not looking too far ahead.
“Torino are going to demand the maximum from us and I think everything will be decided at San Mames, so that’s something to consider.
“It may seem like a cliché, but in the dressing room we are just taking things one game at a time and focusing on beating Alcoyano [in the Copa del Rey].
“After that we will then be thinking of our next match against Atletico Madrid.”
