“We want to win away from home”

Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media in the Lezama press room ahead of the LaLiga Matchday 32 clash between Athletic Club and Atlético de Madrid. Having secured all three points against CA Osasuna at San Mamés, Ernesto Valverde is approaching tomorrow’s match with a clear objective: “I’d like to win at the Metropolitano with Athletic Club. It’s true that Atlético de Madrid have taken a big step forward competitively in recent times and we’ve found it hard to win there, but you always have a new opportunity and we want to make the most of it.”

As for the opposition, the Athletic gaffer highlighted that “they deserve a great deal of credit for the season they’re having, given their fixture list. We’re up against a side that could win the European title, but I also know they’ll be well prepared for this match. They’re playing at home and I expect we’ll face a top-class opponent, as always”.

To conclude, he emphasised that “it’s clear that as long as there’s a fire in your house, you can’t think of anything other than putting it out. Our intention, of course, is to give our all in every match to pick up points and set our sights on other goals. But our primary objective, given where we’re coming from, is to secure our survival and then look further ahead, but first things first”.