Valverde: "Many people feel a weakness for Ancelotti"

"For us it is always a test to face Real Madrid and also for them because they know that playing in San Mamés is complicated"

MADRID, 21 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Athletic Club coach, Ernesto Valverde, acknowledged this Saturday, in the run-up to the game that will face Real Madrid on Sunday, that he feels a "weakness" for Carlo Ancelotti, who he recognized for his "merit", at the same time that he highlighted the virtues of the white team and the difficulty of the match.

"Many people feel a weakness for Ancelotti, regardless of the titles, it is incredible how he leads the team, that arrival of the player he has that makes everyone respect him. That year after year he continues to win and achieves it with a smile. There is a part of that in which we all want to arrive", he pointed out at a press conference about the Italian coach.

The Basque coach also recognized that facing Real Madrid is always "special". "We are excited and immersed in a moment in which all the games acquire a certain relevance and also with important rivals. This is one of them, a classic of the League. For us it is always a test facing Real Madrid and also for them because they know that playing in San Mamés is complicated. You can see a different atmosphere in this type of match. It's a special game", he said.

The Athletic coach highlighted the victory of the whites at Villarreal in the Cup and referred to the current situation of the madridistas. "As soon as Madrid or Barcelona lose a game or a game and a half, they enter a mini crisis and if they lose another one in a row, the crisis is of a colossal dimension. We would all want one of those crises, to win the League and lose the Super Cup, we could already have a problem of this type. They have enough arguments to win or overcome, as against Villarreal", he pointed out.

"Unlike Barça, which sets a characteristic style and way of playing, what Real Madrid does is spare no expense or take prisoners. When you're playing well, that's when you're about to lose. You can never neglect them ", he added.

In this sense, the 'Txingurri' highlighted the virtues of the Real Madrid team, who "never have to be considered dead". "They have extraordinary quality and are in great condition from a physical point of view. Sometimes they dominate you and you have to run faster than them to win. They have the facility to score a goal and with great quality in their arrivals. You never have to give up for dead , because they always have that arreón that makes them go forward", he explained.

"We are facing the top scorer in the championship and the one who has scored the most outside, has a very high quality index of his arrivals, he does not need to arrive many times to score because he is highly efficient and when he pushes, his degree of convertibility is very high," he said.

Even so, Valverde said he was convinced of his team's potential and predicted an even game. "We are an insistent team, we are going to empty ourselves out on the field. We have followed a similar line. We are reliable, we have to be accurate in arrivals and in defense and be strong. They are from a defensive point of view. I think it will be an even match," he said.

Lastly, the 'lions' coach spoke about the Copa del Rey matchup against Valencia next Thursday. "He is a finalist from last year, with whom we have played in San Mamés and we know the difficulties to win. He plays happy, with important footballers in attack. He has a different proposal this year," he asserted.

"Now they are below in the League, but it is not significant. It is an even tie, they have the advantage of playing at home. Last year's tie is going to be repeated, but this time to one game. We have to go there to win The prize is important, reaching the semifinal, it's difficult for both of them. It's very even," he concluded.