‘It's the last effort, we have to push’

Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media in the Lezama press room ahead of the 35th LaLiga matchday between Athletic Club and Deportivo Alavés. After the Europa League semi-final match, Valverde was keen to stress that the team is feeling good: "The good thing about the young lads is that they quickly turn the page from one game to the next. It's clear that they didn't like the way the game ended, but we kept them there and we tried until the end. Now we have to concentrate on the two weeks that remain, but above all on this one. It's fundamental to face the last game afterwards."

Asked about the importance of tomorrow's derby, the Zurigorri coach replied: "Tomorrow's game is fundamental because the other two games are away from San Mamés. This is the decisive week, and we all wanted to be well placed in the standings. We have to go for everything because the three points tomorrow mean a lot to everyone."

As for their opponents, the Athletic coach stressed that "they have come out of the danger zone and are getting good results. I think that out of the last five games they have lost one, I have the feeling that the step forward they have taken is pushing them a lot and is making them optimistic for the end of the season. It's a very competitive team that fights for you."