

Athletic Club head coach Gaizka Garitano is “optimistic” about the lions’ chances of defeating Valencia CF in their LaLiga Santander fixture on Saturday (December 12, kick-off at 14:00 CET) and promised his players are working on being more efficient in front of goal.
The lions travel down to Mestalla for tommorow’s clash with Valencia and Garitano’s squad is hoping to bounce back from last week’s home defeat against RC Celta.
“We’re optimistic about beating Valencia,” Garitano said in his pre-match press conference at Lezama. “It’s up to us and how well we play. We’ll be brave and look to be more clinical in attack.
“We’re only thinking about our own game and climbing up the league table. All of our energy is going into winning at Mestalla like we did last season.”
The boss acknowleged that Athletic, along with many other teams in LaLiga Santander, are finding it difficult to win back-to-back matches in 2020-21, putting this down to how competitive the competition is right now.
“Few teams are able to win regularly, everything’s very tight,” Garitano said. “It’s difficult for everyone and matches are being decided by the smallest of margins.
“It’s difficult to dominate your opponent. Nevertheless, the team is competitive and we’re going to try and beat Valencia. We’re determined to do so.”
Athletic face a Valencia team going through a rough patch. Javi Gracia’s side are equal on points with the lions, having not won a match since defeating Real Madrid in November.
The lions are keen to take advantage of their opposition’s dip in form and replicate the good result they managed at Mestalla last season.
“Valencia like to play on the counter-attack,” Garitano added. “They’re young but the players have a lot of quality. We’ll try to do things well, we’ll press high and be more clinical. The team is desperate to repeat last season’s good match.
“We’re Athletic and tomorrow we’ll be thinking about winning. I have a lot of faith in my players.”



Marcelino: “We’re focused on winning tomorrow”
First Team
Marcelino looks ahead to Friday night’s LaLiga Santander match against Levante UD


Squad list: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
First Team
Marcelino has called up 23 players for Friday night’s clash with Levante UD at the Ciutat de València


A big week against Levante
First Team
Athletic will face Levante twice in six days, starting with a LaLiga fixture on Friday (21:00 CET)


Raúl García: “The more difficult the challenge, the better”
First Team
After extending his contract with Athletic Club until 2022, Raúl García expressed his intention to keep going “as long as he was up to the task of competing for this Club”


Raúl García signs contract extension until 2022
First Team
The agreement includes an option for a further season depending on a number of targets.


Berenguer in top goalscoring form
First Team
Athletic Club’s most recent signing is our current top goalscorer with six goals, four coming in his last five appearances


Highlights I Athletic Club 1-1 Villarreal CF (LaLiga Matchday 24)
First Team
Athletic pick up a point in a tightly-contested match against the Yellow Submarine at The Cathredal


Marcelino: “Athletic deserved to win”
First Team
Marcelino praises the attitude of his Lions, despite the draw against Villarreal


Berengeur on target in draw with Villarreal
First Team
Athletic’s current top goalscorer equalised after Gerard Moreno put Villarreal in the lead


Confirmed line-ups: Athletic Club vs Villarreal CF
First Team
The XIs for tonight’s LaLiga Santander match against Villarreal CF at San Mamés (21:00 CET)