Diaz: We're seeking maximum points

Almeria forward Oscar Diaz has insisted his side will go on the attack against Athletic Bilbao in their final game of the season, even though a draw would be enough to ensure they avoid relegation.

The Andalusians earned a crucial 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Granada last week, a match which coach Francisco Javier Rodriguez said "puts us at the gates of survival".

But even though they are so close to achieving their objective, Diaz ruled out a cautious approach against Athletic Bilbao.

"We have to go out to win and finish as high as possible in the table so we can put a shine on the season," he told reporters.

"Any team that goes out into a game looking for a draw ends up losing. If we go out there with the attitude that getting a point is enough it could go against us."

His team-mate Suso, however, offered a more pragmatic message: "We have to go out to win the game, but we must use our heads, too.

"We have to be intelligent and know how to play the game.

"Athletic have very good players and play good football. They are going to come here looking for the three points, even though they aren't playing for anything."

Even if Almeria do lose to the Basques, they can only be relegated on goal difference, a likelihood which only becomes possible if Granada win at Valladolid and Osasuna beat Betis.

Athletic sealed their place in next season's Champions League a fortnight ago, but coach Ernesto Valverde insisted his team would not take it easy in their final game of the season.

"Our intention is to win the game," he told a press conference.

"Our opponents have a lot to play for and so do other teams, but we want the three points just as we always do, and we have to take the game seriously."

However, the coach conceded that "it has been more difficult" to keep his players motivated for the trip to Almeria than for last week's Basque derby with Real Sociedad at San Mames, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Athletic have a much bigger injury list to deal with than Almeria, with a total of five players unavailable to Valvderde.

His counterpart Rodriguez on the other hand only has to make do without midfielder Helder Barbosa.