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Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde was a Champions League semi-finalist as Barcelona boss in 2018/19, but the former Lions forward did not sound like a coach expecting much from his side in this season’s competition when he spoke after their first defeat of the season on Saturday.
“Our primary objective since the start of the season has been the league and then [there are] other competitions in which we have to compete,” Valverde said, adding that his players “lacked spark” in their 1-0 home defeat to Alaves.
“We’ll try to compete with [Arsenal], who are undoubtedly candidates to win the [Champions League].
Quick take: Match context: momentum and small details could decide this one, especially set-pieces and transitions. Form and fitness will matter; expect managers to rotate carefully around the congested schedule. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.
