Valverde: “I'm expecting a difficult match”
Valverde: “I'm expecting a difficult match”
The gaffer said there would be changes to the starting XI in his pre-match press conference before Athletic Club vs Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon (16:15 CEST)
After two away wins on the bounce, Athletic Club return to San Mames and Ernesto Valverde predicts it will be a "difficult" test against an in-form Celta Vigo side.
The Gallicians have won three of their first five fixtures and come to Bilbao off the back of a 3-1 win over Real Valladolid.
“I'm expecting a difficult match because games against Celta are always tough," Valverde said.
"They work the ball well, have players with good technique and they are showing that this year. They look solid and confident. It's going to be very complicated.
"They're enjoyable to watch and we want to try to minimise their strengths. We'll try to make sure that our qualities outshine theirs."
Due to the congested fixture list, the Zurigorri head coach revealed he will rotate the starting line-up in a bid to keep the squad as fresh as possible.
He said: We'll make changes because we're seeing players struggling with strains and knocks... We have to prevent these things from getting worse.
"You need to have the best team possible and with such a full schedule, everyone available has to be ready."
Athletic are starting to look more like the sort of side Valverde wants to see, and he's confident the peformances will "keep improving as the season goes on".
He continued: "We compete well and we're united. Sometimes we're brilliant and sometimes not so much, but we have a recognisable style."