Valverde is cautious: “No one in the locker room is thinking about the final”

Athletic have become provisional leaders of the Europa League with five consecutive victories, the last today against Fenerbahçe Mourinho. The final will be held in San Mamés on May 21. Ernesto Valverde He prefers to be careful, step by step and not think about that fight for the title of the second continental competition. “We are a team that has played six games in Europe in five years. All the rivals we have played for sure have played. The fact that the final is in San Mamés is very good, it is an incentive, but it’s very far. Everyone wants to reach the final, not just us, if you look at the final you don’t look at what’s ahead,” he said in the Sukru Saracoglu press room he already in the locker room “nobody thinks about the final” but about the next match in Europe, also in Istanbul against Besiktas.

The coach was very happy with the victory. “We are very happy with the match, we saw the atmosphere that is breathed here and how difficult it is to overcome an opponent who is pressing you, strong and has good players. The first half was very even, in the second we went even further, we were very good with counter-attacking options. “We all defend together and we’re all very good.”

Inaki Williams He was the main star of the match with two winning goals after ten years as a lion in the 6th “We now know what this means Iñaki for the heart he had and for what he pushed us to do. He’s been at Athletic for ten years the other day, he celebrated by scoring a goal and now he’s also scored to win. This win means a lot. We are a team that has just arrived in the competition after years, overcoming these challenges doesn’t leave us with a good feeling but we have to keep going.

The rojiblancos scored two goals and once again kept a clean sheet. “We look for the same thing as all the teams, to be able to unbalance up front and to ensure that we are not put in danger by the enemy. For this, it is key to be together in pressure and in the back to defend, something that requires an effort from the whole team. If we all work together on the field, we have many possibilities,” he stated.

He then sent a message in an institutional tone perhaps due to the latest events the club has experienced, including the threats suffered by the president and the cheering strike carried out by Herri Harmaila against Villarreal: “If we’re a club, we’re together. We’re better too.”

Txingurri has now re-opted for Julen Agirrezabala under the sticks So far, Unai Simón has only played one game, against Elfsborg in San Mamés, despite the fact that he has recovered. “They are both good, Unai is coming back from an injury and an operation needs a period of time. He is covering. We have two good goalkeepers and we will see them both playing soon.”