Athletic Club’s eagerly anticipated return to the Champions League has created a wave of excitement in Bilbao. Head coach Ernesto Valverde recognizes the significance of this moment, as reported by Softfootball.
In the lead-up to their opening match against Arsenal, Valverde spoke about the journey that has seen the Basque club return to the elite of European football, conveying a mix of pride and accountability. The competition presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Athletic to gauge their capabilities against top-tier clubs.
As the highly awaited game against Arsenal approaches, Valverde highlighted the importance of the occasion during a pre-match press conference, which was shared on the team’s official website. He remarked:
We’re very excited to be playing in this competition, the most important international club competition. The teams hold nothing back, they play with everything they have.
Arsenal are totally focused on this match. They are one of the favourites to win the Champions League thanks to their technical and tactical ability, and the winning spirit that [Mikel] Arteta has instilled in them. This experience must serve to make us better and enable us to compete more effectively.
While acknowledging the formidable challenge that Arsenal poses, Valverde emphasized that Athletic will not back down easily, asserting that his team must stay alert during critical moments. He stated:
We’ll have to be very careful and take advantage of opportunities. Arsenal won’t be forgiving.
The coach also anticipates that the San Mamés crowd will contribute significantly to what is expected to be a memorable European evening, saying:
Our fans are going to come very motivated. It’s the start of the Champions League and we’re playing against a high-level opponent, the kind that Bilbao likes.
According to Athletic Club through its official X handle, head Coach Ernesto Valverde has confirmed his 23-man squad for their UCL season opener against Arsenal tomorrow. The complete list is provided below;
With Arsenal arriving after a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Valverde understands that his team must harness the enthusiasm of their fans and the atmosphere at San Mamés. Athletic’s long-awaited return to the upper echelons of European football is set to be a challenging introduction, but the coach is optimistic that unity and passion can be key factors against a leading contender in the tournament.
