Valverde: “We need to keep building up our confidence”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde said it is vital to build momentum and confidence during these early days of LaLiga 2022/23 as the Lions prepare to face Valencia CF at San Mamés on Sunday evening (17:30 CEST).

Los Rojiblancos got their season underway with a 0-0 draw against RCD Mallorca last week, a match in which Athletic dominated and looked good in possession but struggled to breakdown a stubborn defence.

"The idea is to keep gaining confidence and build on the good work from the other day at San Mamés," Valverde said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday evening.

"There were a lot of positive things that we have to hold on to. Above all, creating plenty of opportunities on goal so to we have a better chance of scoring. Defensive solidity will also be important."

🎙️ Valverde looks ahead to #AthleticValencia

💪 "There were a lot positive things from our last match which we have to keep working on."

⚔️ "@valenciacf_en have undergone a change in style and are in good form. It's important that we win tomorrow."#AthleticClub 🦁

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) August 20, 2022

Athletic drew 0-0 when they faced Los Che at San Mamés in 2021/22, but with former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso having taken over at Valencia this summer, Valverde is expecting a different sort of match.

"We're facing a different team," Valverde said. "They've undergone a change in style of play. Now they try to play out from the back and launch quick counter-attacks.

"They're an opponent we have to respect, they're strong when attacking. We'll have to withstand their counter-attacks and bear in mind they're not going to stop pushing."

When asked about the Lions lack of clinical edge in the final third against RCD Mallorca, Valverde insisted his team must "create as many chances on goal as possible, the more the better".

He added: "The more we attack, the more likely we are to score. But, in the end, it's the players who have to score the goals.

"We have to keep going, to ignore any comments and focus on ourselves.

"Support the team and contain the opposition. Don't concede chances, be solid at the back and create goal scoring situations up top."