“We’re only thinking about Vitoria; we’re focused on La Liga”

After the string of consecutive midweek cup matches played recently, Gaizka Garitano admitted that having “an ordinary week” has helped them get ready for the Basque derby between Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club, “being more rested”. The fixture, corresponding to the 25th Matchweek of LaLiga Santander, will be held at Medizorrotza on Sunday, 2.00pm.

Leaving aside the exciting Copa del Rey fixture that awaits them in Granada, the coach wants to prioritise tomorrow’s contest: “We’re only thinking about Vitoria, we’re focused on LaLiga.” As for Deportivo Alavés, he described them as “a team who have got to be better and better, their level of organization from the tactical point of view is quite good; two of their forwards are in great shape, with nine goals each, and they can score at any time. They’re also good at set pieces as well as counterattacks, they’ve got fast players that can get up front in three passes.”

“Our players are in really high spirits. We’re playing for Athletic and our present challenges include making it through the Copa semifinal and getting to win a league match again,” answered Garitano when asked about his morale after their nine-match winless streak in LaLiga Santander.