Valverde: "We want to keep putting points on the board"

Ernesto Valverde said Athletic Club's aim is to keep winning points in LaLiga. However, he is expecting a tough match against Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis on Sunday.

The Lions have struggled on the road against the Andalusians in recent years, failing to win at the Benito Villamarin since the 2017/18 campaign. Nonetheless, the gaffer insisted his side won't pay too much attention to that record as they go for the win on Sunday.

"We want to keep putting points on the board," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"We don't look at the statistics from the last few years. It doesn't matter too much to us. Real Betis got three important points last week, they have strengthened their team and I think it will be a good game."

Valverde believes dealing with Betis' talented frontline will be Athletic's biggest challenge at the Benito Villamarín, singling out Isco as a particularly dangerous player.

He said: "Real Betis have a lot of options, but Isco is a fundamental player in their system. If he gets on the ball, plays well and feels important, it will be bad for us. He provides assists, has an eye for goal and drives them forward.

"[Giovani] Lo Celso is also important because he can win a game for you. And they've brought in Antony. They have a lot of dangerous players upfront."

Athletic are currently fourth with 40 points while Betis are 10th with 28, but Valverde reckons the Seville-based outfit will be in with a shout of qualifying for Europe again this season.

"In recent years they've done well in the league and qualified for Europe on a regular basis," the manager added. "They're always tough opponents and will be in the fight to finish in those positions again."

The Athletic head coach also spoke about the Lions' new signing, Maroan Sannadi, who officially joined on Saturday, signing a deal until June 2029.

Maroan has spent the first part of this season on loan at Primera Federación (third tier) side Barakaldo CF from Deportivo Alaves.

Valverde said: “Obviously, there's a jump in level and it will take time for him to adapt, but we hope it won't take him long.

"He is a target-man striker, until now we only had a similar profile in Gorka Guruzeta, because Javier Martón is a different sort of player.

"We've welcomed him and we hope everything goes well. We're going to watch him train and we'll see if he's available for tomorrow's match."