The words of the Basque coach on the eve of the challenge with Mallorca: “On Thursday we experienced a show in Rome and we like playing in that atmosphere. We’ll see if Sancet will play for a few minutes.”

Next Thursday, the second leg of the Europa League round of sixteen will be played at the San Mames, but first the Athletic Club must focus on Mallorca. Tomorrow, the Basque team will play at home with a specific aim – to secure and consolidate their fourth place in Liga. Ernesto Valverde, the coach of the Bilbao team, has spoken to the press about the upcoming challenge and the state of his players as they prepare for the ‘Yellow-Reds’.

“The mood among the squad after Europe…” Good. Another match, the one on Thursday, was indeed a grueling duel and was decided in quite the thrilling manner. In tomorrow’s game, the stakes are high. They have been focused on this match all week and we have seen another less than convincing performance.

How are the players doing? “Prados is doing well. Vivian is injured and certainly won’t be back tomorrow. Galarreta is also out due to suspension and Álvaro is still recovering. The rest are doing well.

Vivian? “I don’t think he’ll be ready for Thursday’s European match,” states in an uncertain tone. Sancet? “We’ll see if he plays a few minutes, I don’t know. We’ll observe how he performs in today’s training, it all depends on the team’s needs”.

Will there be a turnover tomorrow? “No. If someone plays, it’s because they have enough energy to compete at their best. “Rather than looking ahead to the next match, we need to see how the players ended the previous one.”

“What kind of atmosphere do you anticipate at San Mames?”

“I don’t particularly enjoy coming here and asking people to root for us. If people want to participate, let them do so. On Thursday, we experienced a spectacle in Rome, and we like playing in that atmosphere, even if it is against us. We saw it even in Madrid, when Atlético was on the attack and the fans were rallying behind the team. “We try to connect with the fans through the game,” they said.

Nico Williams? “I see him as ever. He scored two massive goals just 10 days ago. It’s commonplace for his opponents to keep him in high regard. Once you become an important player, you are subjected to a higher level of scrutiny, but for him, it’s a challenge. “For us, he is a fundamental player,”