Valverde Prepares Athletic for Key Clash Against Real Oviedo

The upcoming match against Real Oviedo is crucial for Athletic Club as they head into the international break with the aim of turning their fortunes around. Following two consecutive defeats in LaLiga, the team is eager to secure three points in front of their home crowd. Ahead of the game, Athletic’s coach, Ernesto Valverde, held a press conference to address the current situation of the team.

Regarding Real Oviedo, Valverde noted, “They are a team that seeks to control the game, displaying personality and an attacking mindset. We must be mindful of their forward players and remain vigilant. Regardless of who visits San Mamés, our priority is to win the match.”

On team selection, Valverde stated, “We will assess some players tomorrow; Nico is one case we need to evaluate. Hierro and Selton remain here and did not join the B team to be available for us.”

Valverde acknowledged the team’s challenging run, saying, “It is true that we are not achieving favorable results in the league. We have lost our last two matches and are in urgent need of points. Winning changes the narrative, and tomorrow presents an opportunity to break this negative trend that is affecting us.”

He emphasized the team’s urgency, remarking, “When you come off important matches, the next one always carries more weight. We face a 15-day break afterward, but our focus is on halting this losing streak. We are a team that strives to compete fiercely, and they will come here looking to take three points.”

Addressing whether his concerns lie with performance or results, Valverde explained, “Results are always a product of performance. I believe we are doing many things well; we are not playing poorly. We need to create more dangerous situations and be decisive—if we create three chances, we must convert them all.”

He reaffirmed the team’s philosophy, stating, “We aim to dominate matches and maintain control of the game, which we attempted in Anoeta and Newcastle. We are a team that pushes forward defensively, and this is a characteristic we must uphold. In previous seasons, we perhaps did not face absences in critical areas, particularly up front. With our current squad, we can push forward and achieve positive results.”

Lastly, Valverde emphasized the importance of prioritizing domestic competition, saying, “The momentum gained in one tournament can aid performance in another. We strive for balance in our results, as consistency in LaLiga clearly indicates our standing. Other competitions can hinge on a single moment or decision, leading to elimination. Last year, our Europa League campaign helped our LaLiga performance, but this year, that synergy is lacking. Our goal is to compete for a spot in Europe and ensure that our various competitions support one another.”