Ernesto Valverde is pleased to face Rangers in the Europa League quarter-finals, a different opponent than he has faced before.
Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde has expressed his satisfaction ahead of his side’s Europa League quarter-final clash with Rangers after the Scottish champions surprisingly edged past Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Bilbao booked their place in the แทงบอล UFABET ราคาดีที่สุด ไม่มีขั้นต่ำ Europa League last eight after beating Roma 4-3 on aggregate, while Rangers beat Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on penalties, with Valverde saying he preferred facing Barry Ferguson’s Scottish side.
‘I like to face different opponents. We have played in Istanbul twice and against Fenerbahce. I have seen some things about Rangers on television but I haven’t gone into details. The first game is on April 10, so there is time to explore them. Before that we have Sevilla, Osasuna and a very important match against Villarreal,’ Valverde said.
And that’s outraged Valverde, who is on his third spell of managing Athletic.
He said: “This scheduling hurts us.
“We are playing Villarreal late on Sunday night away and that means they have taken away a day’s rest for us before the first leg with Rangers.
“It’s actually incomprehensible what they do because it’s beneficial for Spanish football for teams to progress through the rounds.
“I know Real Mardid have complained about this and it happens to us on a regular basis.”