Ernesto Valverde: "Our aim is to go as far as possible"

Ernesto Valverde appeared in the Lezama press room before tomorrow's first game of 2023 for the Lions, the Copa round of 32. Tomorrow, from 21:00h onwards, the Lions will take on CD Eldense, leaders of Group II of the First Federation, at the Nuevo Pepico Amat in Elda (Alicante).

Valverde is aware of the difficulty of this type of match: "It's true that in one-off ties the team is proving reliable, which doesn't mean too much, because the next game is always a new test in which you have to prove your work, or in which you can break the streak. Tomorrow we have to be very prepared, as in previous qualifying rounds, to be able to go through. We are aware of what we have to do to get through in games like this. We always keep that in mind". 

The head coach is very clear about how to approach this type of match and the difficulties that Eldense can pose: "We have to be focused, something we always do, no matter who the opponent is. Each tie is unique and we have to face it with the maximum guarantees. We have to value the opponent for what they have done to be in this round and for the difficulty they have. They are a good team, leaders of their group and I suppose they have the prospect of promotion".

Finally, Valverde expressed his excitement about the tournament of the K.O.: "The objective of trying to win the Cup is always there for every team. It's a competition that is very exciting and that allows you to advance and reach the final, but it also allows you to be eliminated at any moment. Many times it's not a question of merit, but of not making a mistake. Our objective is to go as far as possible, and we take each knockout round very seriously".