Athletic Bilbao vs Espanyol preview - Bilbao waiting on Aduriz

Posted Friday, November 21, 2014 by PA

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde is "optimistic" that his team's top scorer and talisman Aritz Aduriz will be fit to face Espanyol this weekend.

The 33-year-old - who has scored four of Bilbao's seven Primera Division goals this term - has been out of action since injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 win over Sevilla on November 2, missing the defeat to Porto in the Champions League and the 0-0 draw at Valencia.

But the striker looks set to return to his side's attack just at the right time, with fellow forward Guillermo Fernandez ruled out of the Espanyol game, also due to a hamstring problem.

Bilbao's only other injury concern is veteran full-back Andoni Iraola, doubtful due to a strained hamstring.

"It's impossible for Guillermo to play, we are optimistic about Aduriz and Iraola has been training again, but we'll have to wait and see," the coach told a press conference, carried by El Correo.

Although the return of Aduriz is undoubtedly a boost to the second-lowest scoring side in the league, Valverde is keen for his other attacking players to contribute goals, as they did last season when the side finished fourth in La Liga.

"We have enough players that can become goalscorers again," he said.

"Last year Mikel Rico scored every time he got forward. We also have players like Ibai, Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta, Benat, Oscar de Marcos, Borja Viguera and Kike Sola, who can all score, as well as defenders from set plays.

"We need more players to get into the danger areas and then finish well. We need to be ruthless with our finishing."

Bilbao have taken seven points from their last three league matches but Valverde warned his side were far from out of the woods just yet, emphasising the importance of beating Espanyol to continue their unbeaten run.

"We are three points from the drop zone despite this good run," he said.

"But this run has given us strength. If we win again it will drive us on even further and allow us to look a bit higher up the table instead of looking over our shoulder as we have been doing in recent weeks."

While Bilbao look to be turning a corner after enduring their worst ever start to a league season, Espanyol are without a win in their last four matches.

However, they have a strong record in Bilbao, winning their last two matches away there.

Defender Hector Moreno has recovered from breaking his leg at the World Cup and could make his first appearance of the season, but midfielder Paco Montanes is doubtful for the Catalans.