Valverde: "LaLiga is what matters most right now"

After the euphoria of Wednesday's Copa win over FC Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde stressed his players will need to be switched on against a Cadíz CF side with a lot on the line.

While the Zurigorri will be looking to get back among the Champions League spots, Cadiz, with a new manager in the dugout, are desperate to start climbing away from the relegation zone.

"It's not easy to change our mindset, but we must," Ernesto Valverde said ahead of Sunday's trip to the Nuevo Mirandilla (16:15 CET).

"We have to take our minds off what happened on Wednesday against Barça and focus on what happened in Valencia.

"We have a chance to get more points, although of course we know that Cádiz have a lot at stake. They're in a difficult situation in terms of points and they've changed coach. That's always a boost.

"We also need that attitude of knowing we've got a lot to play for because LaLiga is the most important thing for us right now."

The boss praised Athletic's current form, pointing out that "the team always gives it all".

He said: "We're a team fans like to watch. We have a large squad and the players are responding with great commitment whatever their situation.

"All the confidence we gained from the game the other day has to drive us on. Tomorrow is a differnet story, we're playing away from home and the fans at the Nuevo Mirandilla will have the same intensity ours had at San Mames. We have to be up to the task."

During the press conference, Valverde also expressed his opinion on some of the disrespectful comments made towards the club in recent days.

"I don't like to comment on things that happen on social media because we all know how that works," he stated. "I don't have much more to say than to lament people's lack of culture.

"A racist comment about one of our signings, or about anything else for that matter, makes it seem like we don't know what kind of world we live in."