Valverde: “We have to keep moving forward”
Valverde: “We have to keep moving forward”
This is what the gaffer had to say ahead of a "difficult" and "important" match against Madrid-based outfit CD Leganés
Ernesto Valverde said his players are ready to put Wednesday's Europa League defeat to Besiktas JK behind them and concentrate on Sunday's LaLiga clash with CD Leganés at San Mames (18:30 CET).
The Lions, currently fourth in the standings, will play a league match at home for the first time since early December 2024.
"We're fine," Valverde said about the Lions' morale. "Besiktas played better than us the other day, but we have to keep moving forward and focus on what's ahead.
"It's an important week, tomorrow we have to protect our fourth place in LaLiga, and on Thursday we want to ensure that we skip the Europa League play-offs and go straight to the round of 16.
"Tomorrow's game is the priority at the moment. We want Wednesday's defeat to help us take a step forward. This is a difficult road, but we're going to try and get the results we need."
As for the challenge posed by 15th-placed CD Leganés, the gaffer insisted it would be a "difficult match" but reiterated that Athletic's aim is "to get back to winning ways".
He continued: "They have a strong, solid team with a good coach. They're going to make things difficult for us but we're entering the second half of the season and we know what's at stake."
The gaffer also said that Oihan Sancet, back in the squad after returning from injury, has "a chance of playing" on Sunday adding that the midfielder being available again is "important for us".