Valverde calls on Athletic to show Basque derby passion
Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao face off at Estadio Municipal de Anoeta in LaLiga this Sunday (AEDT), with Basque bragging rights at stake.
Visiting head coach Ernesto Valverde knows only too well a victory would make an enormous difference to the way his side's start to the season is perceived.
Valverde said: "We are not on a good run in LaLiga, even though our position is not bad. We are close to fifth and sixth, but also to the bottom positions.
"I think we are a great team, but it's not just that the coach or the players say that we are a great team, we have to get the results.
"When you win, everyone is with you and when you lose, you have to push a little more."
Athletic is currently ninth in LaLiga with 14 points from 10 games, five points off the top four but only the same amount clear of the relegation zone.
La Real, meanwhile, is only above the dreaded dotted line on goal difference, despite beating Sevilla 2-1 last time out to ease the pressure on boss Sergio Francisco.
Athletic was beaten 1-0 at home by Getafe in its most recent league game, having played out a goalless draw with Elche the previous matchday.
Asked about the five-point difference between the Basque clubs in the standings, Valverde said: "It's a match that transcends the table.
"No matter how much distance there may be at certain times, derbies are always unmatched because there is a significant emotional charge in them. You have to know how to play with that."
Sergio Francisco, meanwhile, is relishing his first experience of a senior derby, having previously overseen meetings between the clubs' youth sides.
"I face it with great enthusiasm. I've experienced it as an amateur and it was crazy. I am looking forward to living it and I hope it goes well," he said.
"It's a different game. We had the Copa del Rey this week, but we knew the derby was coming and we experienced it differently. The team feels very good playing at home.
"The people who go to the stadium help us a lot. They give us support. On the day of Sevilla, we felt something different, but tomorrow will be special."
