Valverde: "We have the chance to make amends"
Valverde: "We have the chance to make amends"
Ernesto Valverde stressed the importance of a good display as the Lions get set to take on Getafe
Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde believes Tuesday night's match against Getafe CF (20:00 CEST) is the perfect opportunity for the Lions to get over their recent 0-1 home defeat to Atlético Madrid.
The loss against Atletico was only Athletic's second of the campaign, while they are also keen to keep their unbeaten 2022/23 away record in tact.
"The players are fine. Of course a defeat hurts, but the advantage is that we have the chance to make amends quickly," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.
"We want to bounce back immediately and we want to play with confidence. The important thing is to focus on our own performance. That is what will get us points. We must focus on the task at hand and forget the rest."
Led by Quique Sánchez Flores, Getafe will provide Athletic a tough test. Valverde was adamant that Los Azulones' league position, 16th, belies how much they have improved since Sánchez Flores took over last season.
He said: "Getafe haven't started well, but they have the potential to be higher up the table. They're a solid side with a strong defensive structure, they're compact and hard to break down.
"Like all games at their ground [the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez], it will be difficult. We'll have to dig deep if we want to win."