Athletic Club head into Wednesday’s Supercopa de España semifinal against FC Barcelona clear-eyed about the challenge that awaits them – beating one of Spain’s top two teams to progress into the final.
Ernesto Valverde has acknowledged that his side are not the favorites, yet he frames the occasion as both a reward for past work and an opportunity to go further.
“For us, the Supercopa is a prize,” Valverde said. “It is already a prize to be here and we still want a bigger prize, which would be to be in the final.”
The Athletic coach stressed that playing the tournament in Saudi Arabia carries prestige for the club, even if the circumstances are not ideal.
“For us it is prestigious to play this tournament,” he explained, while adding that “in another format” and with their own supporters present they might have “more chances.”
He also pointed out an obvious reality of the competition’s setting, noting that “it is understood that if we are here it is because Real Madrid and Barcelona are coming.”
That context feeds into Athletic’s role as underdogs. Barcelona arrive top of La Liga and in strong form.
“They are first and we are not as brilliant as we were last year,” he admitted. Still, he warned against assuming outcomes in a one-off semifinal. “You have to play two matches and in 90 minutes many things can happen. We are not the favorite, but we have this opportunity and our intention is to take advantage of it.”
The former Barcelona coach described Hansi Flick’s side as “a team with many resources” and insisted Athletic will need “a big dose of accuracy” to compete, given how clinical Barça usually are. He referenced their recent league win over Espanyol as an example. In that match, Barcelona rode their luck and a superstar showing from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to ultimately triumph 2-0.
From a tactical standpoint, Valverde sees little change from the Barcelona side Athletic faced earlier in the season. “They are very recognizable,” he explained. “They press you high, close you down inside and invite you to hit space, but that is easier to analyze than to execute.”
Beyond tactics, Valverde said he’s looking to get his side in the right mentality. Athletic, currently eighth in the league, are seeking the kind of positive run that can shift belief. “All teams want to get into that positive dynamic that makes you see everything well,” he said.
The coach also addressed individual situations. He played down any external debate around Unai Simón despite comparisons with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia. “I see no strong reason to talk to him because Barcelona have a great goalkeeper,” Valverde said. “All teams have great goalkeepers. We know Barcelona have one and so do we.”
