Real Sociedad - Athletic Bilbao preview - Valverde wants derby break

Posted Saturday, December 13, 2014 by PA

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valvderde hopes fortune will favour his side for once in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad at Anoeta.

Athletic have only won four of the 18 derbies at La Real's stadium since it was built in 1993, losing the fixture last season 2-0 despite dominating the play.

"Last year we dominated the game but they dominated the scoreboard," Valverde told a press conference, quoted in Marca.

"Let's see if this time around we can dominate the game and the scoreboard. I've got the players to do that and I think we're going to do well."

Valverde has an almost full squad available for the game, with just defenders Andoni Iraola and Xabier Etxeita missing due to injury.

It is a more favourable health bill than his opposite number David Moyes, who will be without five players for his first Basque derby.

The Scot needs a big performance to silence his critics in the wake of last week's humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Villarreal, but Valverde is wary of the fact the hosts have beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Anoeta this season.

"It's too early for me to analyse how La Real have improved under Moyes, but regardless of who the coach is, we know they have won their most important games at home this season," added Valverde.

"That makes us think that it'll be a very difficult game for us. Of the 13 points they have picked up, nine of them have been at home."

Athletic also suffered defeat in their last league outing, becoming the first team in the division to lose to minnows Cordoba last weekend.

However, Valverde's side compensated by beating BATE Borisov 2-0 at San Mames to finish third in their Champions League group and qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.

Moyes said he had taken an interest in the Basque derby long before moving to Spain, but insisted the importance of derby games should not be overstated.

"I've been told a lot about the Basque derby and I watched it when I was in England, you always look for the derbies around the world," he told a press conference, broadcast on the club's official website.

"I played in Celtic-Rangers and I've managed in the Merseyside and Manchester derbies so they're important for everyone and everyone wants to win, but you still only get three points."