Valverde: “We'll try to be up to the task”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde said controlling emotions will be vital if the Lions are to defeat Atlético Madrid in Bilbao on Thursday night (21:30 CET) and book a place in the Copa del Rey final.

With The Cathedral expected to be completely sold out, the boss is also confident the players will be able to draw on that energy.

"I hope San Mames will really get behind us. We're playing to reach a final," Valverde said at his press conference before the showdown in Bilbao.

"This is the kind of game we wanted to play in at the beginning of the season. The important thing is to settle down quickly and be ourselves. Let's see if we can do that and get through.

"It''ll be a tough match, with a lot of emotions, and we have to control that too. We will try to be up to the task."

The Zurigorri are up against an "extraordinary" opponent in the shape of Atlético Madrid. A narrow win in the away leg gives Athletic a slight advantage.

Valverde continued: "Everything is up in the air. There wasn't a big enough difference between the two sides for the first-leg result to be a decisive factor.

"We have to play this match as if the score is 0-0. We'll try to win at home, knowing how difficult that will be, against a team that will certainly look to take the initiative."

The whole of Bilbao will be backing the Lions on Thursday as the city gets ready for a massive football night, that kind that brings the region to life.

"It's exciting for the players, there's no doubt about it," Valverde said.

"The welcome to San Mames and the atmosphere in general motivates us a lot. We have to experience from the position we're in - one of privilege."