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New Delhi: Athletic Bilbao face a daunting challenge as they host La Liga leaders Barcelona at San Mames, with the Catalan giants narrowly ahead in the title race. While Barcelona are battling Real Madrid at the top, ninth-placed Athletic are chasing European places in a tightly packed mid-table. For Aymeric Laporte, who spoke exclusively to TimesofIndia.com, the clash represents both a tactical test and a statement opportunity for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
The defender expects Athletic to spend long spells without the ball against Barcelona’s possession-heavy style but insists the team is preparing to treat the match “like a final”. Laporte also spoke about the Basque side’s season objectives and his personal focus with Spain’s World Cup campaign looming.Excerpts:Q. Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona is a big game. How has the preparation been like? What are some of the areas you’re focussing on as a team?Laporte: Barcelona is a big team. They play top gameplay, so they have a good style – possession ball, long time. We will have to run for sure, but I hope we will be preparing at San Mames to do something big. Q. You will be starting in defence. Against a team like Barcelona, what is the biggest challenge – one on ones, defensive line, what is it?Laporte: Yeah, it’s always a big challenge against big teams like this. We try our best, I try my best also. I try to manage the line, the defensive line, the pitch.It’s true that we are rotating, like we are playing different people nearly every single game. But yeah, we are trying to solve all the issues game by game and we will try to prepare this game as a final.
File photo of fans of Athletic Club at Estadio de San Mames. (Getty Images)
Q. Coming to Athletic, things have been a bit up and down this year. What is the goal for the team overall? Laporte: The ambition is to go game-by-game. I think it’s the most important thing for this season.I would like or love to say in that top-six. But right now we are not in the best position to talk about the first 6-7 of La Liga. Step by step, Barcelona first and after we will see if we can win many games. We will try our best to win as much as possible and try to find the places on top of the league.Q. With the World Cup also coming later in the year. For you personally, is there any goal fitness-wise or game-wise that you are looking to improve or build on as a player?Laporte: When you play for a team in La Liga and I have played for Spain for a few years, of course it is in my head. It is also why I’ve come back here to Spain. To play the big games during the season, to keep the rhythm, the highest level. First we have the Finalissima against Argentina and after we will think about the World Cup.WATCH: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona will be LIVE at 1:30am IST on 8 March on FanCode.
