Valverde: “LaLiga is our first and most important objective”

After Athletic Club's competitive performance against Arsenal in the Champions League, Ernesto Valverde has reiterated that the Lions must now focus on LaLiga with "two difficult matches" on the horizon.

The Zurigorri travel to Mestalla on Saturday night where they'll face Valencia CF at 21:00 CEST, before hosting Girona FC at San Mames the following Tuesday (19:00).

"LaLiga is our first and most important objective," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference on Friday evening.

"It's the competition that tells you where you are, who you are, how you're doing this year, and it doesn't give you any time off.

"The Champions League is a bonus for us. We want to compete like we did the other day and see if we can stay there, but obviously LaLiga is the priority.

"We now have three league matches, which will be difficult with two away games, and we want to win those points. Right now, that's the most important thing."

The gaffer said that Valencia are "always a tough team to play against", as he analysed the home side, where former Athletic keeper Julen Agirrezabala now turns out.

He continued: "They had a tough start last year, but they had a great second half of the season. We won at Mestalla, but it was very difficult.

"They are coming off a tough defeat against Barça, but overall they are maintaining the level they had in the run-in last season.

"Like us, they need to pick up three points. The fans put a lot of pressure on them and it's sure to be a tough game."

Valverde wants the Lions to put the performance against Alavés at San Mamés behind them and hopes to see more of the combative Athletic side that took on Arsenal in the Champions League.

"We didn’t play well in the match against Deportivo Alavés, especially in attack. We didn’t create enough to win," he said.

"Fortunately, the Arsenal match came along and, despite the defeat, we’re happy with our attitude and how it went.

"We have to continue in that vein. We may have some difficulties scoring goals, but our team spirit and attitude must always be there. We're in a good position, but we need to maintain a positive momentum in LaLiga."