Valverde: “It's a special match”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde said the Basque Derby is one of the most unique clashes in the LaLiga Santander calendar. The Cathedral will host this year's return fixture on Saturday afternoon at 16:15 CEST.

With only 10 LaLiga matches remaining this season, every point counts and Los Leones will be going all out for the win against Real Sociedad in Bilbao this weekend.

"The rivalry makes it special. It's not like the rest of the matches," the gaffer said at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

"There are three points on the line, but at the same time there's an emotional component that we have to manage and know how to use on the pitch."

🗣️ Ernesto Valverde on #AthleticRealSociedad

⚔️ "This is a rivalry. It's not like other matches. There's an emotional component we have to manage on the pitch."

✊ "We want to make up for the loss in the reverse fixture with a win here at San Mames."#AthleticClub 🦁

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 14, 2023

Valverde praised la Real for the way they play and their consistent form so far this season. The Donostia-based outfit are fourth in the LaLiga Santander standings with 51 points.

He said: “La Real are doing very well. They make sure the goals they score count for something. We've scored a similar amount in that respect but theirs are more spread out.

"They have a lot of talent in midfield and it's difficult to create chances against them. They're having a great season, but we want to make up for the loss in the reverse fixture with a win here at San Mames."