“We have to seize this opportunity to stay in the Champions League”

Ernesto Valverde and Iñigo Lekue emphasised the importance of securing a victory at San Mamés on Wednesday, stressing that it would provide a significant boost to the team in addition to securing Athletic's place in the knockout rounds.

A win would guarantee the Lions' spot in the play-offs, whilst a draw could be enough if other results go our way.

"We must seize this opportunity to continue in the competition, as it would be a success for us," Valverde said at the pre-match press conference.

"We would've been happy to still have a chance at qualification going into the final day. Let's see if we can do it at home with our fans behind us.

"You always want to progress in every competition. Tomorrow we have our chance. If we win, we qualify, and we have to go for it. It's something new for us, something that doesn't happen very often. We're taking it step by step."

The three points from our final League Phase fixture may prove crucial in many respects, according to the gaffer.

He continued: "We're not on a good run in LaLiga and we want to put an end to this negative spiral of results. We'll give everything we've got to get through.

"We'll have to focus on our own game. We need to approach it head on. They're a strong opponent, one that's is aiming to finish in the top eight."

“We want a magical night” 

Iñigo Lekue, one of the team leaders, reiterated the team's determination to qualify for the next round, something that would be source of encouragement for the entire squad.

He said: "It's an exciting match. We have achieved what we wanted, which is to have one last shot and at home, depending on ourselves and with our fans behind us.

"We're hoping to experience a magical night. To make it through would be historic."

Aware of the negative situation in LaLiga, the Bilbao native hopes that a win on Wednesday will give the Lions a second wind for what lies ahead.

Meanwhile the city is gearing up for one of the biggest nights in recent history and Lekue is hoping for "a great atmosphere".

He continued: "Although some results this year have not been as we would have liked, the Athletic fans have always backed us.

"We need that support, but we don't have to ask for it because it's always there. We're going to experience a magical night and hopefully we'll respond on the pitch and give the spectators a good match and, hopefully, qualification."