Valverde: “We need to push and we need our fans to push us”

Ernesto Valverde reiterated that Sunday's meeting with Rayo Vallecano (21:00 CEST) is "a huge opportunity" for Athletic Club to take a step towards achieving their targets this season.

The Lions return to San Mames after a midweek Europa League trip to Glasgow and the head coach is keen to see his players make the most of the home support on Sunday.

"It's a huge opportunity to pick up points and move closer to achieving our objectives," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference. 

"Playing at home, we have to push and we need our fans to push us.

"It will be a difficult game for us, because our last match was very intense. But we know that, if we win tomorrow, our objective will be within our sights. It's something that drives us on."

Valverde warned that Iñigo Perez's Rayo Vallecano are a side that "presses hard, takes a lot of risks and makes matches uncomfortable".

He continued: "They had a poor match last week, but we've always found them a difficult team to play against.

"It will be an open game in which anything can happen, because, to a certain extent, we are similar in some of the things we do."

The gaffer ended his press conference by stressing the importance of winning matches at home.

He said: "We have four home fixtures left and we should always be strong here. We want to approach these matches well, with the aim of taking all three points at San Mames."