Athletic Club Aims for Turning Point Against Real Oviedo

The upcoming match against Real Oviedo is pivotal for Athletic Club as they aim to approach the international break with renewed optimism. Following two consecutive defeats in LaLiga, the team is determined to secure three points on home soil. Ahead of the match, head coach Ernesto Valverde addressed the media to discuss the team’s current challenges.

Real Oviedo is a team that strives to control the game, showcasing personality and an offensive approach. We must remain vigilant regarding their attacking players and prepare to counter their efforts. Regardless of the opponent, our primary objective at San Mamés is to secure a victory.

In terms of player selection, we will assess the squad tomorrow to determine the fitness of several players, including Nico, who is under evaluation. Hierro and Selton have remained with the first team instead of joining the B team to support our efforts.

It is evident that our recent results in the league have been disappointing. Having lost our last two matches, we are in urgent need of points. When we win, everything seems to fall into place; thus, our focus now is on altering our current trajectory. Tomorrow presents an opportunity, and we are eager to break out of this negative results streak that has been affecting us.

Naturally, following important matches, the urgency to win increases with each subsequent game. Although we face a 15-day break after this match, our primary concern is to halt this unfavorable trend. We are a team that consistently strives to compete fiercely, and our opponents will come intent on claiming all three points.

Regarding our performance, results are inherently linked to the manner in which we play. I believe we are executing many aspects effectively and are not straying far from our style. Our focus is on creating scoring opportunities and capitalizing on them; if we have three chances, we need to convert each one.

Our goal remains to dominate matches and maintain our style of play. We have demonstrated this in both Anoeta and Newcastle. We are a team that defends aggressively, and it is crucial that we continue to do so. In previous seasons, we may not have faced significant absences in key positions, particularly up front. However, with the squad we have, we are capable of moving forward and achieving positive results.

Prioritizing our domestic league is essential. The momentum gained in one competition can aid performances in another. We strive to find a balance in our results, as this ultimately benefits our overall standing. The consistency and regularity offered by LaLiga provide a clear indication of our position. In contrast, other competitions can hinge on a single moment, such as a red card, leading to elimination. Last year, our success in the Europa League positively impacted LaLiga, but this season, that synergy has not yet manifested. Our aim is to compete for a place in Europe while ensuring that our performances across competitions support one another.