"Of course, we would like to, we all want revenge against Barça. They don't usually show any mercy to their opponents. If they beat you by a large margin, it's for a reason. They are the current champions, leaders and favourites to win the league again."
"What we like least is that Barça's style dictates how you have to play. Their defensive line is very high, which gives you some opportunities, but their attack is very hard to stop. You have to be alert to everything. Even if you defend well, you can still have difficulties."
"We'll know after the match. They have more objectives besides the league. They lost two players through injuries, in addition to Frenkie de Jong. The calendar is tight and demanding."
Athletic Club faces Barcelona on Saturday at San Mames, seeking revenge after suffering two significant defeats this season: a 4-0 La Liga loss in November and a 5-0 Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat in January. Manager Ernesto Valverde acknowledges Barcelona's status as current champions and league leaders while recognizing the difficulty of their playing style. He notes that Barcelona's high defensive line creates opportunities but their attack remains difficult to stop. Valverde observes that even solid defensive performances can struggle against Barcelona. He suggests Barcelona's involvement in multiple competitions, including the Champions League, plus recent injuries to key players, might present an opportunity, though he remains cautious about the outcome.
Read at Barca Universal
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]