Yeray: “We'll have to be at our best against Villarreal CF”
Yeray: “We'll have to be at our best against Villarreal CF”
The defender believes his teammates are ready and confident as they get ready for the season run-in
Yeray Álvarez is fully aware of the importance of Athletic Club's upcoming LaLiga clash with Villarreal CF, stressing that the Lions will need to be on top form at the Estadio de la Cerámica if they are to take a result against a direct rival for European qualification.
The match (Sunday, 21:00 CEST) pits fourth-placed Athletic against fifth-placed Villarreal CF, who are now just six points behind us and have a game in hand.
"From here until the end of the season, we will play nine finals. The first one is this Sunday against Villarreal," Yeray said in a press conference at Lezama training centre.
"We'd be mistaken if we think it will be like the match we played in Bilbao. We'll need to be at our best and keep doing what we've been doing."
The centre-back praised the team's performances so far this season, reserving special praise for the gaffer Ernesto Valverde.
He added: "The football that Ernesto has got us playing, as well as being attractive, is effective. When we're all on the ball, we create a lot of chances.
Yeray admitted he felt "proud" when Valverde lauded the defender's winning goal after a 0-1 victory over Sevilla FC last month.
He continued: "He gave me my debut when I was 21 years old. I hope he'll stay here for many more years, because, in my opinion, he's the best coach Athletic have ever had."
After suffering a stop-start 2023/24 due to injuries, the no.5 is happy to be back playing regularly and "enjoying" his football again.
"After last year, I'm delighted to be able to come in and train with my teammates and not have to be on the outside," he said.
"At the moment, I'm concentrating on enjoying myself and then enjoying myself even more when it's my turn to play."