Barcelona are the league leaders and it'll be a very difficult task for Alaves when they visit the Basque Country on Tuesday night, but Abelardo hopes his players can make the fixture a tough contest.
The current Alaves coach and former Barcelona player pointed to the fact that underdogs can often cause surprises in football.
"We cannot allow them to come and stroll around," he said at a press conference on Monday.
"It's difficult to surprise them.
"They have players with technical quality and speed in attack.
"They are the best team in the league.
"But football is one of those sports where the underdog can win.
"We need to go out without pressure.
"We have to fight, cover their movements and not allow them time to think."
For Alaves, this is an important match given that they are still fighting to qualify for the Europa League, although Abelardo pointed out that the objective for the season was simply to avoid relegation.
"We have completed our objective for the season," he said.
"Now we're in a battle for European qualification that we didn't expect to be in."
Ămär Khåñ
0
Every team said the same thing before they clash with the blaugrana...but after the match😜😜😜
SydneyMusonda
0
Even real sociedad said the same bt they still lost and thats the fact, slaves are now saying the same so let them talk and wait for the game results
MESSIAHLM10
2
we wont strol around we just keep scoring and we will win
Zaubklorz
2
Don't mind dem
TheOneAndOnlyJ
6
Lol Barcelona fans, what do you guys expect? You want the coaches say that Barcelona os going to defeat them? Come on man they have to try. Let them try in peace.
MEHEDI_KAISAR
2
eventually MESSI and co. will shut your pretty mouth
MobePoku
2
This is what opposition coaches always say 💭 and end up losing.
BetaPikin
1
dreamer ,continue dreaming cos barca would get the three point am assuring u Mr coach.
Maxwellmint
0
Please watch your tongue. Barca ain't sparing anyone... Lol
Don’t mind them,that’s how they make mouth and later Barca will still humiliate them 😏
bra_143
2
Massa u better keep mute,in Madrid we were playing around then how much you
HalaHussein007
2
" But football is one of those sports where the underdog can win. " Very wise words from very wise man Abelardo.
KINGLMD10S
4
we did that in the last two encounters and your players sat there and watched it. anyways, it's a usual tradition for coaches to make such motivational speeches and 90 mins after, the story is always the same.
GodyZabra
2
when you already know the outcome
Temple7
1
Please watch your tongue. Barca ain't sparing anyone... Lol
Tonata
2
lol