Ernesto Valverde: We hope to continue our current good form; maintaining this momentum is crucial for the start of the second half of the season.

Ernesto Valverde highly praised the team's comeback performance in Leon, pointing out that the victory over Real Mallorca was a step towards higher goals. Athletic Bilbao will begin the second half of the season in Parma this Saturday, a point the coach emphasized at the press conference.  

The team now faces a packed schedule, including consecutive away games against Real Mallorca and Sevilla, as well as home matches against Real Sociedad and Levante. They will also participate in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. At the press conference, Ernesto Valverde said, "We hope to continue our current good momentum. In the past, we have come back from very difficult situations to win, so maintaining this momentum is crucial for the start of the second half of the season."  

"Given the current situation, this match is crucial for us. Both sides are evenly matched, and we are eager to win and improve our ranking. We must give it our all because our opponents are also taking this match seriously. From now on, every match is in its final countdown, and every point in the second half of the season becomes vital."  

“Our defense has been solid for the past few years. However, we have conceded eight goals in the last two games, which is obviously not normal and needs to be addressed immediately. We have already discussed this, and the formation needs to be more compact to improve defensive efficiency.”  

Despite the challenges, he emphasized the significance of the team's 3-4 victory over Leonesa Culture. He stated, "The key was the team's reaction, and we reacted exceptionally well during the match. No team can win easily in a cup competition, and the support from the fans also benefited the team. Although we haven't reached our ultimate goal yet, we are just one step away from the semi-finals."  

Finally, Ernesto Valverde praised Yuri Berchiche for his key role in the team. He said, "Despite being deployed in different positions, Yuri Berchiche has performed exceptionally well, is aggressive and reliable in tackling, and is a trustworthy player."