Valverde: “We must keep playing with intensity”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde wants to see the Lions keep their unbeaten run going, while reiterating his players "need to remain focused" during Sunday's match against Sevilla FC in Bilbao (16:15 CEST).

The Zurigorri have won three consecutive matches in LaLiga and drew 1-1 against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in their Europa League opener on Thursday.

"We're on a good run in the league, but the key for us is to maintain a high level of intensity in how we play and for that you need a level of energy that comes with time," the boss said in his pre-match press conference.

"We've just played a tough game away from home, which involved a lot of travelling and fatigue. We have to recover physically and focus on this match.

"We're rotating regularly. In terms of attitude, Athletic's players are always faultless. I'm confident we'll always compete."

Valverde worked with Sevilla's new coach, Francisco Javier García Pimienta, during his time and FC Barcelona and believes they'll be "very difficult to beat".

He continued: “They're trying to change their attacking style a little bit, but that doesn't happen in two days, it takes time.

"The other day they beat Valladolid. Like Las Palmas last year, who were very difficult to beat, Sevilla are a side that if they take control of the game they draw you in and look to get players breaking the lines to have more space available.

"They take risks and I think they are taking steps to achieve their goals. Sevilla have been in a bit of a turbulent situation lately in certain aspects and everything depends on the team making progress."