MADRID, 30 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Athletic Club coach, Ernesto Valverde, explained that motivation comes on its own a week before the Copa del Rey final and, before that, with a duel against Real Madrid this Sunday to try to defend fourth position in the League, and reach “competing” and with “good feelings” to that final.
“We are going to go there with the intention of winning if we can, if we can’t win, draw. We haven’t competed for a long time and tomorrow we have a chance to defend the position we are in,” he said at the press conference prior to the visit to Santiago Bernabéu.
The Basques coach made it clear that Athletic will not be thinking about the Cup final against Madrid, only indirectly, since they plan to take advantage of the whites’ test to get as best as possible to the fight for the cup title.
“We will find out tomorrow. There are some factors that must be taken into account. We have not played since the 16th, tomorrow is a game in which we have important things at stake, and there is also no better way to reach an important game than to compete. It is true “We have a final next week but now we have an important match also because the previous day we placed in fourth place and it is something that we have to take into account,” he stated.
Valverde responded like this when asked about his eleven, about possible changes, and insisted on the importance of the duel against Madrid. “It is important because it keeps us in a competitive rhythm. They are a rival that has not lost at home, they are going to demand a lot from us. We are looking for good results and good feelings for what lies ahead for the rest of the competition and the next game. “, said.
“They are two historic teams, there is a rivalry, it is very difficult. Madrid has not lost at home, we know it is complicated, they are leaders, but we have to play it and we have to try to go there with the intention of making our virtues seen a lot and that we may not see the best version of Madrid. Here they clearly beat us in the first leg,” he added.
On the other hand, the ‘lions’ coach pointed out that he sees his team well and also the rival, a Madrid that grew this season with Jude Bellingham. “It is a team that with the arrival of Bellingham has gained physicality, it has a very powerful midfield,” he stated.
“The players are fine, with spark, happy. We know that this game is on the horizon, but we are focused. We have this one that has to serve us for the next one,” he concluded, revealing that Julen Aguirrezabala will be his goalkeeper at the Bernabéu for reach the final against Mallorca in Seville.