Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia preview - Llorente wants home comforts

Posted Sunday, February 27, 2011 by PA

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente hopes the comforts of home will help his side bounce back from successive away defeats when they host third-placed Valencia at San Mames.

Athletic had powered their way up to fifth spot on the back of a four-match winning streak, but losses at Real Mallorca and Barcelona in their last two outings have clipped the Basque side`s wings a little.

They remain in fifth, but are now eight points behind Villarreal in fourth and only four ahead of fellow Europa League hopefuls Sevilla and Real Sociedad, who are in seventh and eighth place respectively.

Joaquin Caparros` side are now back at home for the visit of Valencia, though, and with nine wins from 12 games at San Mames this season, Llorente is in optimistic mood.

"We`re playing at home again and we have to show that we are still strong there. It`s not going to be easy but at home I think we can beat them. We need to be strong and aggressive and show from the first minute that Valencia can`t think about getting anything out of the game," said Llorente, who also has a personal reason for wanting to do well this weekend.

The Spain international turns 26 today, while tomorrow is his mother`s birthday and he admits it would be the "best present" if they can down in-form Valencia.

Los Che make the trip to the north of Spain having lost just once in their last 14 league matches, which was a 2-0 defeat at Real Madrid almost three months ago.

Unai Emery`s side did suffer a disappointing result last weekend as they were held 0-0 at home by lowly Sporting Gijon, but despite that Valencia maintained their two-point lead over Villarreal in the race for third spot.

Valencia have some important fixtures coming up, with Barcelona visiting the Mestalla on Wednesday while they also have the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Schalke the week after next.

Striker Roberto Soldado insists they are not looking beyond tomorrow`s game though, saying: "In March we have five games in a very short space time, it`s going to be very intense but we are taking it step by step.

"On Sunday, at San Mames, we must give it everything on the pitch before thinking about the Barcelona game.

"Winning at San Mames is crucial to getting into the Champions League. We can increase our advantage over Athletic and their morale would be damaged by losing at home to a direct rival.

"We know it`s an important game against a very strong opponent, who are fighting for the same as us. It would give them hope if the beat us."