Athletic Club’s coach Ernesto Valverde addressed the press ahead of his team’s La Liga clash against Real Madrid at San Mames, emphasizing the difficulty of facing a team so close to the top of the table. Valverde described Carlo Ancelotti’s squad as “more dangerous than ever” due to their proximity to the league leadership.
Valverde, in a light-hearted moment during the press conference, chose not to reveal his starting goalkeeper for the match. “I’ve decided, Unai (Simon) or Julen (Agirrezabala), I swear that one of the two will play,” he joked, acknowledging the curiosity around this key decision.
The coach made it clear that defeating Real Madrid would be a tough challenge, highlighting their position as reigning La Liga champions and their potential to lead the table. “Madrid are champions for a reason. Even though they’ve lost in the Champions League to Liverpool and Milan, they’re closing in on Barca and have a game in hand—they could become leaders. When a team sees an opportunity to surpass their rivals, they become even more dangerous,” Valverde explained.
Valverde also warned against jumping to conclusions in the title race. “Even if Madrid are 7 points clear of Barca, La Liga will not be over,” he stated, pointing out the unpredictable nature of the league.
Reflecting on his own team’s performance this season, Valverde expressed satisfaction. “We are feeling good and happy. We’ve had a lot of games, and as we move forward, we see that we are doing well and holding our own,” he said. However, he recognized the challenge of playing two top-performing teams back-to-back.
Valverde also shared his insights into playing against Real Madrid’s attacking strategies. “You always have to stay alert, even on set pieces. It often happens that you take a corner and suddenly a Madrid player is left alone in front of your goalkeeper,” he remarked, underscoring the tactical discipline needed to face Ancelotti’s side.
As Athletic Bilbao prepare for a high-stakes match, Valverde’s comments set the stage for what promises to be an intense showdown at San Mames. With both teams aiming to solidify their positions, La Liga’s title race remains far from decided.
