Valverde: “There's a lot at stake”

Sunday's match against Real Valladolid is "a great opportunity" for Athletic Club to solidify their place in the Champions League spots according to Ernesto Valverde.

However, the gaffer warned that his Lions cannot afford to underestimate bottom-placed Real Valladolid, who are in desperate need of points.

"There's a lot at stake," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference.

"We're facing an opponent that is hurting because they're at the bottom of the standings, but we have to respect them.

"They changed their coach this week and there was a lot of movement in the winter market. That complicates our preparation for the match in terms of knowing what we're going to find.

"They need points as there are fewer and fewer fixtures left. That makes them dangerous. In the second half of the season, the teams at the bottom of the table always collect points due to necessity."

When asked about Athletic drawing AS Roma in the Europa League round of 16, Ernesto admitted that it will be a tough tie for Los Leones.

He said: "Roma are a difficult opponent and we already know that from playing them in Rome during the group stage. In the last four years they have reached the semi-finals at least.

"They have international experience. They know how to compete in the knockout stages.

"They had changed managers when we went there and now they've changed against since. They're doing well in Serie A and Claudio Ranieri is aware of the atmosphere here at San Mames.

"They'll will be two tough, good matches."

To conclude, Valverde praised current captain Óscar De Marcos, who recently announced that he will retire at the end of the season and is about to become the player with the second most official appearances in club history.

"He's a highly rated player in Bilbao and with good reason," Valverde said.

"More than anything else because of his dedication, his triumphs and the way he's conducted himself every day."