Valverde: "We have a great challenge ahead"

According to Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club will have to play "a perfect match" if they are to get a positive result against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano on Saturday night (21:00 CET).

The Lions travel down to Madrid where they'll face the third-placed outfit at 21:00 CET.

"We have a great challenge ahead," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference. "We have to play a perfect match in every way. We can't make any mistakes because Atletico will make us pay for them dearly."

"They're a strong team at home and contenders to win a lot of things. They are in good form and they know it.

"They have a lot of strengths, they have a good attacking game and a good combination of footballers who play well in space. They have the fewest goals conceded in the league and they're the side that gets most points towards the end of matches. They're always competitive."

Although the Zurigorri haven't suffered defeat since October and are in the Champions League places, the gaffer is refusing to get carried away with the side's form and reiterated that his players must take things one game at a time

"Being excited is always good," he added. "But I'm only focusing on winning the next match. That's what it's all about."