Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde has disclosed that his side will capitalize on Real Madrid's weaknesses when the two sides meet in a crucial La Liga clash later today (Wednesday, December 4).

Bilbao will host Los Blancos at San Mames in what promises to be an intriguing league encounter between the second and fourth-placed teams in the current La Liga campaign.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Valverde, who is a former Barcelona manager, stated that his side will make good use of every goal-scoring opportunity they get in the game.

“They are the league champions. They recently lost to Liverpool and Milan in the Champions League, but in the league, they are closing in on Barcelona’s points. They are doing well, as always. They are a great team. Winning is not easy, and maintaining a line of dominance, which is what is asked of these teams, is not easy.

“The other day, they won comfortably against Getafe, and for us, it is a very difficult match. We look back and see that it is a match that is very challenging for us. When a team has a chance to advance and the opponent fails, it is a morale boost, of course. Even if Real Madrid wins now and in a month is 7 points ahead of Barça, or if it is the other way around, LaLiga will not be over.

“I have a lot to choose from because if I focus too much on one, we might let another go… Mbappé is one of the differentials, but they are all extraordinary players, and you can never let your guard down. But not only in the set pieces that they take, but also in the ones that you take because, in the next play, one of them is in front of the goalkeeper.

“We have to do everything right and we can never let ourselves go. They have resources. I watch other teams’ games, and the same thing keeps happening: if you don’t finish the plays, Real Madrid punishes you because they are not going to make mistakes. Going into a situation of one attack and them having another attack will not go well for us. As long as we limit their attacks, we will have chances.”