Shakhtar Donetsk vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Valverde demands performance - 7M sport

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Valverde demands performance



Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2014 by PA

Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has vowed to go out fighting ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League Group H clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in Lviv on Wednesday.

The Primera Liga side have no chance of catching the top two in the group but could still overhaul third-placed BATE Borisov to secure a place in the Europa League.

And despite conceding his side's priority this season remains their domestic competition, Valverde could not stress the importance of his side giving their all in Ukraine.

Valverde said: "I have always said our priority is the league, even ahead of the Champions League. But it is our obligation to win here tomorrow and we would like to get a win in this group very much."

Bilbao currently languish at the bottom of the group with one point from their first four games but a big recent improvement has seen them climb to ninth place in the domestic league and Valverde is keen to keep the momentum going.

Valverde added: "We have had a very bad streak in the league and in the Champions League. Now we are better in terms of results and hopefully that will give us confidence."

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu is also taking nothing for granted despite his side looking nailed on to qualify for the knockout stage.

Lucescu said: "Any team playing in the Champions League gives their all to get a positive league and the fact Athletic have brought all their players here proves that."

Shakhtar bounced back from a poor run in the Ukrainian Premier League when they got their first win in three games away to Karpaty last Friday.

Defender Oleksandr Kucher is set to figure in the Shakhtar squad despite Lucescu conceding he is short on match fitness following his recent injury, but Ivan Ordets is definitely ruled out.

Lucescu added: "He (Kucher) has trained with the group but it is clear he lacks match practice. But hopefully because of his experience there will be no issues in tomorrow's meeting."



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