Valverde: “We need to win on the road again”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde wants to see his players return to winning ways away from home when they take on Villarreal CF at the Estadio de la Cerámica this Sunday evening at 18:30 CET.

Los Leones have not picked up points away from home since a 0-2 win over Deportivo Alavés in September. Despite that, and the fact Villarreal has been an historically tough away day for Athletic, the boss is confident.

"It's true that last year was a difficult game for us. We know their power and it's always been difficult to go and play at their ground. But we'll try to be strong and try to start winning on the road again," he said.

Even though the Yellows have had a mixed start to the current campaign, changing managers after three losses from their first four fixtures, Valverde still sees them as 'direct rivals'.

He said: "Everyone around us is a direct rival. In this league, you can't afford to be complacent. It's 90 minutes. We're playing at a ground that's not easy for us, but we have to keep moving forward."