Valverde: “We have to start picking up more points”
Valverde: “We have to start picking up more points”
The boss warned that his players must get used to the fixture congestion and "maintain a high level in all competitions"
After a two-week international break, Ernesto Valverde is hopeful Athletic Club can go on a rich run of form and put more points on the board, starting with Sunday's clash against UD Las Palmas at the Estadio Gran Canaria (18:30 CEST).
Los Leones have four points from their first four LaLiga fixtures and were unlucky to lose to Atlético Madrid at San Mames in their last outing.
"We're doing well and looking forward to getting started again," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday morning.
"In the game before a break you always want to win, but it is what it is. We know this is an important week with three league games and losing the other day against Atlético meant we didn't add to our tally.
"Everything is looked at in terms of results and we have to try and start picking up more points now, as the other clubs will be thinking too. All teams need points."
Over the coming weeks the fixtures will start to pile up, but the Zurigorri coach knows what needs to be done.
"We haven't played in Europe for a long time. We have to get used to this rhythm and maintain a high level in all competitions.
"We have a lot of games coming up, we have to pull the whole squad together and from a mental point of view we have to be very focused at all times and not value some games above others. For the moment we're going to take it one step at a time."
Las Palmas currently sit in 18th place with two points from their first four matches after two losses and two draws.
Valverde is certain they will be tough to beat, pointing out their draws came against Sevilla FC and Real Madrid.
He continued: "Las Palmas play very tightly, dominating possession and the central spaces, just like they did last season.
"Their strongest at home and so far their strongest performances have been there. They drew against Sevilla FC and Real Madrid in two great games that they could even have won. Last season they forced us to be at our best when we played them, both home and away.
"Now they have a new coach with a different approach that he will try to implement over time. We're expecting a complicated game and it's important for both of us. It's going to determine the course of the week."