File photo of Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte with Barcelona’s Dani Olmo during a La Liga match. (AP) New Delhi: Athletic Bilbao face a daunting challenge when they host La Liga leaders Barcelona at the San Mames with the Catalan giants just ahead of 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 an opportunity to make a statement for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Exclusive: Aymeric Laporte previews Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona | La Liga
The defender expects Athletic to spend long spells without the ball against Barcelona’s possession-heavy style, but insists the team are preparing for the game “like a final”. Laporte also spoke about the Basque side’s season goals and his personal focus for Spain’s upcoming World Cup campaign.excerpts:Q Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona is a big game. How was the preparation? What areas do you focus on as a team?Laporte: Barcelona is a big team. They play a top game so they have a good style – possession, long time. We will definitely have to run, but I hope that we will prepare for San Mames to do something big. Q: Will you start on defense? Against a team like Barcelona, what is the biggest challenge – one on one, the defensive line, what is it?Laporte: Yes, it’s always a big challenge against such big teams. We try our best, I try too. I try to run the line, the defensive line, the field.It’s true that we spin like we play with different people almost every game. But yes, we are trying to solve all the problems game by game and we will try to prepare this game as a final.
File photo of Athletic Club fans at the Estadio de San Mames. (Getty Images)
Q: It’s been a bit up and down for Athletic this year. What is the overall goal of the team? Laporte: The ambition is to go game by game. I think it’s the most important thing for this season.I would or like to say in this top six. But right now we are not in the best position to talk about the top 6-7 of La Liga. Step by step first Barcelona and then we will see if we can win many games. We will try to win as much as possible and try to find places at the top of the league.Q: The World Cup is also coming up later this year. Is there a fitness or game goal for you personally that you would like to improve or build on as a player?Laporte: When you play for a team in La Liga, and I played for Spain for a couple of years, of course it’s in my head. This is also why I came back here to Spain. Play big games during the season, keep the rhythm, top level. First we have the Finalissima against Argentina and then we will think about the World Cup.WATCH: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona will be LIVE on March 8 at 1:30 IST on FanCode.
