""For us, the Supercopa is a prize," Valverde said. "It is already a prize to be here and we still want a bigger prize, which would be to be in the final.""
""They are first and we are not as brilliant as we were last year," he admitted. Still, he warned against assuming outcomes in a one-off semifinal. "You have to play two matches and in 90 minutes many things can happen. We are not the favorite, but we have this opportunity and our intention is to take advantage of it.""
"The former Barcelona coach described Hansi Flick's side as "a team with many resources" and insisted Athletic will need "a big dose of accuracy" to compete, given how clinical Barça usually are."
Athletic Club arrive in Saudi Arabia as underdogs for the Supercopa de España semifinal against FC Barcelona. The Supercopa represents both a reward for past work and an opportunity to reach the final. Playing the tournament in Saudi Arabia provides prestige but limits home advantages due to the altered format and absence of the club's own supporters. Real Madrid and Barcelona's participation elevates the competition's profile. Barcelona top La Liga and enter the match in strong form. Athletic will face a resourceful opponent and must produce accurate finishing and disciplined performance to compete in a single, decisive 90-minute semifinal.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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