“The team are a step more mature now”

Ángel Villacampa, Athletic Club’s manager, has talked to the media ahead of the match corresponding to the 13^th matchweek in the Primera Iberdrola, where his team will face Seville on Sunday at 11.00 am at Lezama. It will be the Red and Whites’ last home game of 2019. Their coach would like to close the year winning the following two games, before 2020 starts with a more than demanding calendar.

The Lionesses have not lost in any of the last three consecutive league matches, being able to add a precious point against Atlético de Madrid. “We’re going through a purple patch. The other day, the team took a step forward, especially concerning maturity in their play and behaviour. This week we’ve stressed that we must not lose intensity, we can’t take any steps backwards because we’ve fought hard in order to find our optimum”, said the boss.

Villacampa has highlighted that the Sevillian side “is a team capable of converting plenty of chances, although they usually concede a lot of goals too. The games played against Seville are usually decided by minor details. Away from home, they find it more difficult to get the three points. They are an intense side; they tend to change their systems… the key will be not to lose focus and dominate the game.”

As for the fixture Athletic Club will play with FC Barcelona on January 5^th at San Mamés, the coach said: “It’s a prize we’ve been given, we are really grateful to have this opportunity. It is also true the match is still some time away and we don’t want to lose sight of the games that lie ahead. It’s motivating and exciting, but I prefer to wait until the date approaches to feel it properly. Undoubtedly, it will be an unrivalled experience.”

Tomorrow at 11.00 am, the last training session at Lezama before knowing the squad chosen for the fixture against the Sevillian side will take place.