Diego Martínez spoke at the press conference ahead of the match at San Mamés, a fixture he described as “a game in one of the most special stadiums to play football. It’s a very unique atmosphere, a team that presses relentlessly, plays at a very high tempo, and always has moments where they suffocate their opponents.”
“We’re going to have to run a lot and keep our personality and confidence,” he added.
Here are some of his key quotes:
"Valverde is a coach I admire — tomorrow’s match has all the ingredients to be a great one."
"It’s not just about physicality. Of course, winning helps on a mental level, but the level of focus we had to maintain against Atlético took a toll, and tomorrow will be similar in that sense."
"Fábio is recovering. We have to get used to weeks like this, because soon we’ll be playing three matches in quick succession again."
"We need to give our absolute best — individually and collectively — because they’ll demand a lot from us. Accuracy, resilience, and focus are key in matches like this. Emotionally, they’re a team that, with their fans, keeps the tempo very high."
"A lot of different scenarios can happen in the game, and fortunately this team has shown it can adapt with different styles and tools. We always approach each game as a whole — that’s part of our tactical depth."
"Fábio and Javi Muñoz are very important players, but others will step in with different qualities and perform just as well. Everyone is eager to contribute. I see the entire squad very engaged, and with six matches to go, that’s what it’s about — adapting to what’s coming."