Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte pledges to treat Barcelona clash as a final in La Liga showdown Athletic Bilbao face a significant challenge as they host La Liga leaders Barcelona at San Mames, with the Catalan giants maintaining a narrow lead in the title race. While Barcelona compete with Real Madrid for the top spot, ninth-placed Athletic Bilbao aim to secure European qualification in a tightly contested mid-table battle. Defender Aymeric Laporte, speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com, emphasized the tactical and psychological importance of the match for Ernesto Valverde’s side. Laporte acknowledged the difficulty of facing Barcelona’s possession-based style, noting the team’s preparation to counter the Catalan giants’ dominance. He highlighted the need for Athletic to endure periods without the ball while maintaining defensive resilience. “We will have to run a lot, but I hope we will be preparing at San Mames to do something big,” Laporte said, underscoring the team’s determination to make an impact. The defender also addressed the broader context of Athletic’s season, stating that the team’s primary focus is on progressing game by game. While expressing a desire to reach the top six, Laporte admitted their current position does not allow for such ambitions. “Step by step, Barcelona first, and after we will see if we can win many games,” he said, emphasizing the importance of securing results against top-tier opponents. Laporte’s comments also touched on his personal goals ahead of Spain’s World Cup campaign. He revealed that maintaining peak fitness and rhythm during the La Liga season is crucial for his performance at the international level. “It is why I’ve come back here to Spain—to play the big games during the season, keep the highest level,” he explained.#barcelona #athletic_bilbao #san_mames #aymeric_laporte #ernesto_valverde
