LOPETEGUI, ON THE POOR LEAGUE FORM: "WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE PRESENT"

The manager confirmed that both Suso and Idrissi are unavailable for the match in Nervión: "We thought that we could have Suso back in time for tomorrow, but he won't be. We hope he's back after the international break. When Idrissi joined, he had a complex injury that seemed less important, but his recovery has taken longer and we hope he can enter the final phase of his recovery so he can be back after the break. They're both muscular injuries". He also stated that Wednesday's match is clearly a boost: "Winning is always positive and this is no exception. We're definitely not talking about tiredness. The match could have been played on Sunday but it isn't. We have to accept it and find solutions. Excitement, desire and motivation have to overcome everything else. That's what we're thinking about ahead of tomorrow". 

Lopetegui was asked about the upcoming international break, which will see European national sides playing in three matches: "I imagine that it is the result of the unbelievable reduction of the season and the extraordinary times we're unfortunately living in. The solution that they found is three matches, and that affects the player and his team. It's something we can't control and it's a consequence of these times". One of those players is Jesús Navas: "It's true that he has played a lot and if he's done it it's because he's shown signs of being ready. It's logical to think that it will be difficult to maintain that pace and that intensity. We can't control the national team, but we're awaiting their recovery times so we can seek solutions". 

"We thought that we could have Suso back for tomorrow, but he won't be"

The current style of play means that counter attacks are a risk, but they are always an area for improvement: "We're a team that wants to camp in the opponent's half and play with intensity. There's always a risk of suffering counter attacks, and sometimes they're successful. There's always a margin for improvement and generating chances without conceding them isn't simple. We have to look for answers although our opponents tomorrow are tough in that aspect and in others. We'll have to be very alert for these situations". He also spoke about the risk of his international players testing positive: "You can only cross your fingers, pray to the Virgen del Rocío and even though you do everything perfectly, it's difficult. The lads that will go on international duty, may they take the utmost care, follow the protocols and have the least exposure possible. However, despite being in a bubble, there continue to be cases, and all we can do is adpt and hope it doesn't happen to them, neither to our players nor anyone". 

He offered his thoughts on Diego Carlos, who has received his first international call-up for Brazil: "I'm very happy when good things happen to my players. I know that they deserve them and of course there is a flip side to it, but we can't put doors in the way even though the wear and tear is going to be there. We hope it goes very well for him and I'm always happy with good things like this". The team is only looking forward after three consecutive league defeats: "We'll approach it like we do every match, going to the limit and focusing on nothing else. When we had gone so many matches without defeat, we did the same. We have to focus on the present and not think about what has already happened. We have to think about the possibilities we have tomorrow and the opponents". 

"The international call-up for Diego Carlos has a flip side, but I'm very happy for him"

The Basque manager then spoke about Osasuna: "They're a good side, they have signed well up front and they have four quality attackers, a very established defensive and a very aggressive team who really know how to attack. They have a manager who's been there for a good few years, he got them promoted, and they have some very clear traits". He also focused on En-Nesyri: "In football not everything is black or white. It doesn't exist. In football there is accuracy and mistakes. Youssef is working very well and he got his prize the other day. I hope he keeps scoring, and I hope the rest do too. There are no such black and white opinions. Everyone is working well and I hope these positive runs continue, but what's important is that the team wins". 

The final topic was the rotation of the goalkeeping spot between Vaclík and Bono: "It's my decision. I don't rely on anything concrete. We have confidence in the two goalkeepers and they are ready to feature. There are many competitions and that's how we decide on it. There's nothing else to it".