Valverde: "This match is the one that matters most right now"

Ernesto Valverde refuses to look beyond Sunday's crucial LaLiga clash with Villarreal CF at the Estadio de la Ceramica, stressing that a win would give them an important "morale boost" before Thursday's Europa League clash with Rangers FC in Glasgow.

Los Leones and the Yellows are neck and neck in the battle for fourth place in LaLiga, with Athletic currently six points ahead although Villarreal have a game in hand.

“We're now heading into a week with three imporant matches," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference. "We're in the final stretch of the season and we're facing Villarreal. Fourth against fifth.

"They're within striking distance of us and we know what these three points mean. There are no doubts about it.

"We have some exciting games ahead of us, but tomorrow's is the one that matters most at the moment."

Ernesto is well aware that a positive result on Sunday could prove to be decisive for the Zurigorri, especially as we're at a stage in this season where there's "no room to recover from mistakes".

He continued: "We're playing to maintain our privileged position and we want to get three points that will give us a morale boost for next Thursday's Europa League match and the rest of the season."

Valverde praised Marcelino's side, saying that Sunday's match could be decided by the smallest of details. 

"Marcelino's teams are very difficult to beat, they're very well worked and it's no coincidence that Villarreal are having a great season," the gaffer said.

"We have to make sure Villarreal can play at their best level. That wll be difficult because they attack well and have a very strong defensive system. They have very dangerous players in space and they have a good eye for goal.

"I'm expecting a very similar game to the one at San Mames, in which any detail could determine the outcome."