Athletic Bilbao Prepares for Crucial Match Against Oviedo

omidbasir- Athletic Bilbao will visit Carlos Tartiere this Sunday in hopes of securing consecutive victories in LaLiga and moving past their recent defeat to Real Sociedad in the Copa. The head coach, Ernesto Valverde, addressed the media ahead of the match against Oviedo.

Regarding player availability, Sancet remarked, “There are many positions that are challenging to replace. There were moments when I was not on the field, and we had alternatives, both in midfield and forward. We hope Oihan feels well enough to participate until the end of the season.”

On the team’s morale, he stated, “We are in good spirits; it is a first leg match. Obviously, it is not the result we aimed for. Tomorrow, we have an important game, and there is no time for rest or regret.”

Discussing European qualification, he noted, “There is not much difference among the teams competing for those spots. Espanyol is having a strong season and is not far behind, but the teams below them are close as well. The key is to keep accumulating points, which we desperately need, as we have not secured as many as we wanted.”

On Oviedo’s performance, he commented, “They are playing well and always have chances to win. They recently defeated Girona and appear to be in good form. They play offensively and are not shy about it, consistently finding opportunities to get into the game, even if they sometimes lack precision.”

Expressing the team’s desire for a winning streak, he added, “We would greatly appreciate that, as every team is in need of victories for various reasons. Our priority is this match and how we can overcome them. Winning is not easy, and we must strive to bring home the three points.”

When discussing defensive performance, Valverde reflected, “Last year, we kept clean sheets frequently and attacked well; however, this year, we have struggled at times. Particularly in matches that seem to be within reach, we have let them slip away.”

Regarding team confidence, he said, “The goal is to play to achieve results that reinforce our belief in ourselves. When you don’t win, there is always uncertainty regarding the upcoming opponent. It’s fundamentally a matter of confidence.”

On Berenguer, he mentioned, “He underwent another infiltration this week; he is feeling better, and we will see how he progresses next.”

Lastly, addressing competition within the squad, Areso stated, “There is competition in the team, and it must be accepted. Sometimes he plays, and other times Gorosabel or Lekue take on those roles. I don’t see it as a complication.”