Valverde: "We've still got a chance to achieve things"

Ernesto Valverde reiterated that Athletic Club still have a lot to play for as we prepare to take on RC Celta at San Mames on Sunday evening (19:00 CEST).

With just two fixtures remaining, the Lions are currently ninth in the LaLiga standings with 44 points, just one point behind eighth-placed Real Sociedad.

"We've still got a chance to achieve things," Valverde said at his press conference.

"We know how things are in LaLiga this season. The chances of qualifying for Europe are unlike anything we’ve seen in years, and the same goes for relegation. With 45 points, no one was safe. But now that we’ve reached the first floor, we’ll see if we can climb a bit higher."

Sunday's clash will be Txingurri's last match at San Mames as Athletic head coach and he is hopeful "the Athleticzales will leave with a smile on their faces".

He continued: "It’s true that this is my last match at San Mamés, and that sometimes the stars align, because we’ll be playing against the same team I made my debut against at the new San Mamés, against Celta.

"San Mames has always given me a lot of respect and affection, in both grounds, the old one and the new one.

"We all try to do the best for our team. This is our farewell to the season at San Mames and we want to give our people a victory."

The Galicians also have a lot on the line as they look to secure a place in next season's Europa League and Valverde warned that his players will need to bring their A-game as Claudio Giráldez's side "play some of the best football in the competition".