Valverde: "Two in-form teams are going head-to-head"

Ernesto Valverde reiterated that Wednesday night's LaLiga EA Sports clash at San Mames should be a thriller considering that both sides are on a good run of form.

A classic fixture which has taken place in every single LaLiga season, this will be the 94th time Los Blancos have visited The Cathedral.

"We're feeling better and happier as the season goes on," Ernesto Valverde said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening.

"We have a lot of games ahead of us, but we're holding up well in all competitions. We have to keep that good work going. Tomorrow's match will be interesting because two in-form teams are going head-to-head."

The gaffer is under no illusions about the danger posed by Real Madrid, stressing that they're "always very difficult to beat".

He said: "They're the LaLiga champions. They've recently lost to Liverpool and AC Milan in the Champions League, but they're closing the gap on FC Barcelona. They've got a game in hand and if they win they could be leaders. 

"There are moments when they are good, others when they're weaker, but they've won their recent matches convincingly. It will be a very difficult match."

According to Valverde, Athletic "will have to do everything right" in order to get a positive result.

"It's a game in which you can never be careless because they have quality in every position," he said.

"Even when you're dominating and you're doing well, if you don't finish your moves and play good passes in in the final third, Real Madrid will punish you.

"They will be more clinical than us. We'll need to limit their attacks as much as possible. When playing against these teams with extraordinary players than can be differential, you can never be complacement.

"You always have to be attentive, even when you have the ball and you're doing well."

The boss added that the Lions will be looking to "feed" off the atmosphere at San Mames, saying: "We know what San Mames is like when it's at full capacity. We have to get the fans even more behind us."