Valverde: “LaLiga is a constant battle”
Valverde: “LaLiga is a constant battle”
Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media before Sunday's LaLiga clash with Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas
With a busy festive schedule ahead, the gaffer wants to see Athletic Club get off to a good start with a victory over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening (18:30 CET).
Including Sunday's clash with Rayo, the Lions will play six matches between now and the winter break, which begins on December 22.
Valverde said: We're starting that final stretch leading into Christmas. We'll see how the players do, but our idea, whoever we play against, is to go and win.
Rayo are similar to Los Leones in many respects. According to Ernesto, "they're very strong" and will make things difficult for his team.
After this match, the Zurigorri will face Real Madrid (December 4) and Villarreal (December 8) at The Cathedral in the next seven days.
However, the gaffer insisted that Athletic cannot afford to think ahead and overlook Rayo Vallecano.
He said: "Rayo play very well, with a lot of intensity and are very direct. I expect an approach that is true to what they are, with a lot of pace and back-and-forth passages.
"LaLiga is a constant battle. We have to be ready to try and win at a moment when there is still very little difference between the teams."