Valverde eyes quick Athletic response

Ernesto Valverde says he is confident of a quick response from his Athletic Bilbao players against Granada after their Europa League elimination.

Athletic crashed out at the last-32 stage to Cypriot outfit APOEL on Thursday, in what was regarded as a surprise result, but Valverde insists his team have “the desire” to move on and put things right as soon as possible.

“We’re feeling good, with the desire to focus on something else, forget the blow and look ahead,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“After an elimination, you’re never quite right until the next game begins, so we want to get going against Granada in order to pull ourselves together and have the chance of inflicting revenge.

“You always want to forget [bad news] quickly and play again as soon as possible.

“I’m optimistic about a response because we’ve always responded well to an elimination, although when it’s a painful elimination, you have to bring yourselves a bit closer than usual.

“One of our strengths has always been that we all pull together, especially when things get hazy, as they are now. People criticise us and that’s normal, we’re a big club.

“Granada? I see them reenergised by their recent wins against Las Palmas and Betis and with another dynamic, given survival isn’t so far away for them anymore.

“They’ve changed their system to one with three centre-backs, greatly improved their squad in January and they have players like Ramos, Carcela and Pereira that can create imbalances.

“We have to be careful because they’re playing with vibrancy and we must respect them.”

Athletic Bilbao squad: Iraizoz, Remiro; Boveda, Elustondo, Lekue, Etxeita, Balenziaga, Yeray; San Jose, Benat, Iturraspe, Muniain, Susaeta, Rico, Merino, Saborit; Sabin, Williams, Villalibre

Absences: De Marcos, Aduriz, Laporte, Arrizabalaga, Garcia, Eraso

Granada: Rui Silva, Ochoa; Gaston Silva, Vezo, Foulquier, Hector, Ingason, Hongla; Samper, Uche, Wakaso, Boga, Carcela, Pereira, Cuenca, Angban, Malle; Ramos, Ponce

Absences: Kravets, Saunier, Krhin, Kone

Referee: Trujillo Suarez

Kick-off time: 17:30 GMT/18:30 CET

Tags Ernesto Valverde
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