Valverde: “We'll approach this match as if it were our last”
Valverde: “We'll approach this match as if it were our last”
The gaffer previewed Athletic's Copa opener saying "the best way to respect our opponents is to go there and show them who we are"
Serious words from Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde as he warned Los Leones against taking anything for granted ahead of their clash with lower-league side UE Rubí in the first round of the 2023/24 Copa del Rey.
Los Rojiblancos travel to Catalunya and the city of Rubi where they will face the Liga Elite outfit at the Camp Municipal de Can Rosés.
"We've always approached these matches with a competitive attitude and we've managed to advance through the rounds," Valverde said in his pre-match press conference.
"We'll approach this match as if it were our last. It's true there's a difference in divisions, but you must always respect your opponents. If we want to remain in the draw, we can't fool around.
"We're starting a new competition. It's a classic in the Copa. There are matches in which everyone thinks you're going to win and in which you have the disadvantage of playing at unfamiliar ground and against a team with extra motivation.
"They have a lot to win and little to lose. You have to be very prepared. They're going to play in front of their fans with all the motivation in the world and if we don't approach the game properly, that's when we could start to have doubts.
"We have to keep in mind that it's 90 minutes and that anything can happen at any moment. They've earned their place in this round of the competition, they deserve all the respect in the world and the best way to respect them is to go there and show them who we are."