Athletic Club’s Stalemate Against Slavia Prague: A Tactical Reflection

Athletic Club settled for a draw against Slavia Prague during their away match in the Czech Republic. Despite the rojiblancos taking the initiative for much of the game, they were unable to find the back of the net. The path to advancing in the tournament is now complex for coach Txingurri Valverde and his team, who will be relying on their performance in the final three matches. Following the game, Valverde shared his thoughts on the point gained and the team’s current standing in the prestigious continental competition.

**Match Analysis:** “It was a fiercely contested match, as we anticipated. We knew we needed to be strong in duels; any loose ball could create problems for us. Our strategy was to apply pressure more aggressively, and we had opportunities—one with Sancet and another with Navarro. In the second half, we maintained more continuity, although the game did slow down towards the end. Overall, we had moments where we performed well.”

**Value of the Draw:** “We must consider this point as positive given the intensity of the battle on the pitch; there is still room for improvement. Losing here would have been a significant setback psychologically. We had chances to secure a victory in what was a tough match, and I believe we leave with some positive feelings. In the Champions League, nothing is straightforward, and we must keep pushing forward.”

**Substitutions:** “With substitutions, we always aim to inject more physicality, as players tend to show signs of fatigue. In our case, we wanted to maintain freshness, and I believed the changes would help us secure a cleaner opportunity to win. However, as the game progressed, the tempo slowed, which did not benefit us.”

**Clarification on Yellow Card:** “I received a yellow card for protesting; with the cold weather, it was necessary to voice my concerns to stay warm.”

**Calculating the Path to Advancement:** “The calculations are quite simple. Overthinking our needs can be counterproductive. Our primary goal is to progress, and we acknowledge our shortcomings. Now, we must focus on the upcoming match against PSG, which we know will be challenging.”

**On Selton:** “Every time he touches the ball, it feels like something could happen. He is young and needs to build his strength, which takes time. The plan is for him to accumulate minutes and develop resilience as the competition progresses.”

**On Areso:** “I always look for the positives in my players. He is a forward-thinking player who needs to adapt to our style. We are helping him, particularly in developing his defensive skills.”

**On Unai Gómez:** “For me, Unai Gómez can play effectively as a forward; he always contributes in that position. He has the ability to stretch the play and arrive in good positions, and I was also prepared to position him on the flank if needed.”