Valverde: “This is a special match for me”

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde admitted Saturday's LaLiga clash with RCD Espanyol will be "special" for him due to his past with the Catalan side.

Valverde made his top-flight debut with Pericos as player, making over 80 appearances for the club over two seasons. He was part of the squad which lost the 1987/88 UEFA Cup final on penalties to Bayer Leverkusen.

He also led Espanyol as a manager, taking them to the final of the 2006/07 Europa League, which they lost on penalties to Sevilla FC.

"It's a special match for me," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference.

"Espanyol gave me my LaLiga debut and I also had the opportunity to coach them in the first division. I've played finals there, both of which I came close to winning. It's special because of the people there."

The gaffer warned that Manolo González's side would offer stern opposition, singling out their "brave" style in attack and their "aggressive" defence.

He said: “Espanyol look good. They're playing well. Their results on the road have been close, but they have a brave style of play. They're aggressive in defence and are confident in what they're doing.

"They're a newly-promoted team, but that's not important. They're in good form and we have to be careful. It will be a very difficult match."

As for our last LaLiga match, a defeat to Girona FC which included three missed penalties, Valverde insisted the team has turned the page and are focues on what lies ahead.

We've anaylsed the game, looked at the good things we did and the things we didn't do well," he added.

"It was a while ago now. We're looking forward to competing again. This is a new match and we have to start again."