"I don't feel that way. It's true that sometimes, due to circumstances, there can be a certain rivalry between clubs and teams, and I suppose the situation with Nico made us uncomfortable, both them and us. These things happen regularly in the world of football. It's more about what is said or talked about than reality. We are two teams that compete hard and well, and that's the only thing I have to focus on."
"I don't know how Camp Nou will receive him. The question is how we receive him, and we always welcome him with open arms."
"He played the other day. We'll see, he's training regularly, skipping some aspects of training. We want him to be 100% because these upcoming matches are very important."
Ernesto Valverde spoke ahead of Athletic Club's trip to the reopened Spotify Camp Nou. Conversation focused on Nico Williams, whose decision to extend his contract after Barcelona's pursuit created tension between the clubs' sporting departments. Valverde minimized any lasting hostility, calling rivalry circumstantial and stressing that talk often exceeds reality. He emphasized concentrating on competition and indicated Athletic will welcome Williams despite potential jeers. Williams has been named in the travelling squad after recovering from a groin issue, is training while skipping some elements, and the club wants him fully fit for important upcoming matches.
Read at Barca Universal
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