Valverde: "We need to break this streak"

Ernesto Valverde is desperate to see Athletic Club put their winless streak behind them, saying that we want to see the Lions make more of the dominance in possession.

The Zurigorri started LaLiga with three consecutive victories, but ended September with a draw and three losses.

"We need to break this streak," Valverde said at his pre-match press conference.

"We're among the best in terms of mentality because we always go for it, and sometimes we even we push ourselves too hard. That is what sets us apart and what we do well

"There have been different reasons why we haven't won these four league matches. We're struggling to score goals and we need to be more clinical in attack.

"It's about the whole team, not just the forwards. We need to turn our dominance into more dangerous situations.

"When you're on a losing streak, winning means a lot of course. We didn't manage to do that in September.

"I'll put the Champions League matches aside for a moment, but in the league in particular, we dominated most of them and weren't able to take all three points. We have to change that."

The gaffer is confident the San Mames faithful will get behind the team as they look to get back to winning ways.

He said: "We're not in a good place right now, but the people who came to Dortmund really backed the team, especially when we were playing well and could get the equaliser.

"The same thing happened in the last game here. The fans will be there and it's up to the players to draw everyone in."

Valverde refused to use the Lions injury list as an excuse, but he did admit it made it harder to change things up.

"I would like to have all the players available so that I can change certain pieces without it being too noticeable in the structure," he added.

"The problem is when you lose three players in the same position or if someone is out for whole season. Let's see if we can get some players back after the international break."

The gaffer expects a tough Mallorca side, who themselves are in dire need of a positive result, saying that Jagoba Arrasate's team "won't give a metre away for free".

He continued: "We're facing an opponent against whom we've generally played evenly-contested games. It's goint to be difficult. Mallorca are a solid team and difficult to break down.

"They can play with four or five at the back and then they're powerful on the counter-attack. They're also dangerous from set pieces and with their crosses from the wings."