GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "THERE ARE 11 GAMES LEFT AND THE FANS DESERVE A WIN AT THE SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN"

Xavier García Pimienta spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of facing Athletic Club on Sunday. Our head coach began by saying, "We are very happy because people are coming back and the injury list is almost zero. Akor has taken part in training and is working his way back. Kike had some minor discomfort and we hope he can train tomorrow and Vargas is fine, having overcome his minor injury. Everybody is available apart from Nianzou." 

“Athletic are a great team in Spain and they are doing things very well. They have a more than good enough squad to make two teams and the demand is going to be maximum. We cannot rely on the fact that they played yesterday in Europe because if we do it will cost us. We need to do what we did against Real Sociedad. It is very important. There are eleven games left, we are playing at home and the fans deserve a win at the Sánchez-Pizjuán," he continued. 

"The way forward is to continue playing how we did against Real Sociedad" 

He added that “We are very excited, these are matches you want to play, against big teams. We want to compete and beat them. Away from home against Athletic we played well. We want to compete in every moment and that is the way forward, to continue playing how we did against Real Sociedad." 

"We are close to how we want to play. We have good judgment with the ball, we dominate the game, defend well with several clean sheets, and counter-attack effectively. It's positive to be somewhat unpredictable and dominate various aspects. We are capable of adapting to different moments in the game, and that is a strength of the players," he continued.

"We are ambitious and united, but we need to focus on the present."

Pimienta continued by saying, "We need to focus on Athletic first, and then, whatever happens, on the derby. When there are four or five matches left, we will see where we can get to. We are ambitious and united, but we need to focus on the present. From there, we will start building things for the final stretch of the season, where everything will be decided."

"LALIGA, for me, is the best of all, with many players of high level. I was excited about Carmona's inclusion in the pre-list. He's having an exceptional season and will continue growing and improving. Hopefully, in the next one, he will have the opportunity to be called up, like any of the young players we have in the squad," he concluded.