“This match is coming at the right time”

Ángel Villacampa, Athletic Club manager, has appeared before the press prior to his squad’s trip to Madrid. On Sunday at 12.00 pm, the Red and Whites will face Atlético de Madrid at the new Centro Deportivo Wanda in the twelfth matchweek in Primera Iberdrola. It will be a very complicated clash for the Lionesses, who will play the second side in the table, an opponent that have not let go of any points from their home games.

Athletic have clinched two significant wins in their last two matches against Rayo Vallecano and EDF Logroño, while the team from Madrid drew with Real Betis last week. “We know of the difficulties we’ll face but I think we have to pay attention to what we do. The team is really well, doing better and better, and if we have to meet them at some point during the season, I consider this is the best time. We feel we are ready to play this game”, the manager said.

The fixture will be a special one for Ángel Villacampa, who will face his ex-team. In the current Madrid squad, there are still many players who were under his management. “They have a solid foundation. The team have improved with the international players, who have empowered the squad even more. Their characteristic performance is distinguishable, let’s see if we are capable of making them lose their identity with our play. They feel comfortable in away games, with the ball… We must be a compact team to have our chance.”

Here is the list with the 18 players selected for the trip to Madrid: Ainhoa Moraza, Andrea de la Nava, Andrea Sierra, Nekane Díez, Maite Oroz, Andere Legina, Eunate Arraiza, Yulema Corres, Garazi Murua, María Díaz, Marta Unzué, Lucía García, Leia Zarate, Vanesa Gimbert, Ane Azkona, Oihane Valdezate, Oihane Hernández and Damaris Egurrola.