Valverde: “There's a lot of stake, we need to give it our all”

Ernesto Valverde is expecting a lively encounter when Athletic Club face Real Sociedad at Anoeta for their Copa semi-final second leg on Wednesday night.

The Lions are a goal down on aggregate after losing the first leg at San Mames, but the gaffer insisted his team are "desperate" to win.

"It's a derby. I'm expecting a heated atmosphere, and that's a good thing," Valverde said in his pre-match press conference.

"They're desperate to beat us, and we're desperate to beat them. One of us will go through to the final, and the other will be knocked out. There's a lot at stake, and we have to give it our all.

"We want to mount a comeback. You never know how matches will turn out."
 

📢 "We'll give it our all."

🆙 "We know it won't be easy, but nothing's over yet."

🎙️ Ernesto Valverde previews #RealSociedadAthletic 🏆#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/40G84Hp7jh

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) March 3, 2026

Athletic have picked up some positive momentum since the first leg, whilst many players have also recovered from injuries, elements which Valverde's hope will help Los Leones on Wednesday.

He said: "We've got players back, we've been picking up points these past few weeks and we're doing well. We know it's not easy, but, despite their advantage, nothing's been decided yet.”

With such a massive prize on the line, added to the derby atmosphere, Valverde is not expecting a "close game".

"Both teams have the chance to reach the final," he continued. "In important matches like this, it's vital to be at our best.

"If we don't score, we won't go through, we know that. We'll approach the match with the aim to win."