Valverde shrugs off domestic struggles as Athletic face Champions League decider
Athletic Club boss reminds critics of similar situations in the past as his side prepare for crucial European clash against Sporting Lisbon with qualification on the line.
Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde is keeping his eyes firmly on the prize as his side prepare for their Champions League showdown with Sporting Lisbon, despite growing concerns about their domestic form.
European focus amid league struggles
The Bilbao outfit have been experiencing a proper mare in La Liga recently, but Valverde was quick to remind journalists that this isn’t his first rodeo when it comes to balancing European and domestic campaigns.
“When we played in the Champions League ten years ago, we also had problems in La Liga,” Valverde pointed out, drawing parallels to previous European adventures that coincided with domestic difficulties.
For many in the Athletic dressing room, this is uncharted territory - both the Champions League pressure and the league struggles. But the gaffer’s seen it all before and isn’t hitting the panic button just yet.
All eyes on Sporting
With qualification for the knockout stages hanging in the balance, Valverde is keeping his squad laser-focused on the task at hand:
“There are so many variables that what might work in the 89th minute might not work in the 91st. We need to focus on ourselves and getting the result - that’s enough of a challenge as it is.”
The boss is well aware of the threat posed by their Portuguese opponents, who are fighting for a top-eight finish themselves. When asked about containing Sporting’s star forward Luis Suárez, Valverde was having none of it:
“We could have an individual plan for him, for Trincao, for their forwards, for Gonçalves… It’s not just Suárez who’s quick and decisive, but their inside players, their attacking left-back. We can’t focus on just one player.”
Injury concerns mounting
The fixture pile-up is taking its toll on the Athletic squad. Valverde confirmed that Aymeric Laporte is unlikely to feature despite returning to training, while Nico Williams is also expected to miss out as he’s not in proper condition.
Vivian is another concern, with the manager admitting they’ll need to assess the situation before finalising his team selection. The absence of Jauregizar is another blow that Valverde will have to work around with the resources at his disposal.
The bigger picture
Despite the scrutiny, Valverde remains confident in his abilities and approach. The experienced tactician knows that results dictate perception in football’s dog-eat-dog world.
“When you win a title, you have two million people with you, and when you lose, there are two million pointing at you,” he reflected philosophically. “I’m here because I’ve had good results, and what I want now are good results this year.”
For now, though, it’s all about taking care of business against Sporting and securing that spot in the next round - a result that would be, in his own words, “a success” for the Champions League novices.