Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde has said that his team will need to be aware of the threat of Alen Halilovic in Monday's La Liga clash against Sporting Gijon.
Halilovic, 19, joined Sporting on a season-long loan from Barcelona in the summer and has registered three assists and scored once in seven league appearances for his loan club this season.
Ahead of week nine's final La Liga fixture, Valverde has paid tribute to the qualities of the teenager, who joined Barcelona from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer of 2014.
"[Halilovic] makes his presence known. He releases the ball to his teammates quickly and is capable of scoring when he's near the box. He and Sporting are a good fit for each other. He's excelling in a team who are doing well," Valverde told reporters.
Bilbao, who have already lost four times in the league this season, currently sit just outside the relegation zone in La Liga, one point behind Sporting.
Matt Law
