Grp F: Athletic Bilbao vs PSG Preview
Athletic Bilbao defender Borja Ekiza has urged his team to put their domestic form behind them when they take on in-form Paris St Germain in Europa League Group F.
Marcelo Bielsa's men have got off to a slow start in the Primera Division, picking up just two points from their opening five games.
The Spanish team go into Thursday's game on the back of last weekend's 1-1 draw against Villarreal, which dropped them to 19th position in the standings.
"We didn't win but we showed a good performance and this is important," Ekiza said. "Now we must continue on this path and I'm confident the wins will come."
Athletic, who won 2-1 at Slovan Bratislava in their pool opener, are desperate to rediscover the winning touch at San Mames, where they have failed to come out triumphant in their last three European games.
"We face a beautiful game against a great rival and we will go all out to get a victory," Ekiza said. "We know it is going to be difficult because PSG have made important signings this summer but we will do our best."
Ekiza knows his side will have to keep a close eye on Javier Pastore.
The Argentinian playmaker joined the French giants from Palermo this summer and struck twice in last weekend's 3-0 Ligue 1 victory at Montpellier.
"Pastore is the strongest player they have," Ekiza said. "We will have to make sure we don't give him room to manoeuvre."
PSG coach Antoine Kombouare has urged his players not to get carried away by their impressive start to the campaign.
The capital club are on an eight-match unbeaten run, including a 3-1 triumph over Salzburg in their Europa League group opener.
Moreover, last weekend's triumph at the Stade de la Mosson was PSG's first at Montpellier in 12 years.
"We have to stay humble and keep on working," Kombouare said.
"We need to keep going in the same direction."
The visitors will be bolstered by the return of defenders Christophe Jallet and Luciano Monzon, who missed last weekend's game through suspension.