

Athletic Club manager Gaizka Garitano said going toe to toe with Real Madrid at Valdebebas on Tuesday night (kick-off, 22:00 CET) and showing the world what Athletic are capable of is “extra motivation” for his side.
Reigning LaLiga Santander champions Real Madrid have hit a patch of good form, they’re coming off the back of a derby win and have not lost in three. Nonetheless, Garitano is certain Athletic can “get a good result”.
“Probably they [Real Madrid] are the best they’ve been all season,” Garitano said at his pre-match press conference. “And for us, taking on a such a good team, who are playing so well, is extra motivation.
“We’re desperate to do well, we’re a good team and we want to show that against a great rival.”
Athletic have not lost in their last two matches outside of Bilbao, picking up draws over Getafe and Valencia.
“We put in a couple of good performances in Getafe and Valencia,” Garitano pointed out. “We’re were closing to winning both and we want to carry that momentum forward into Valdebebas.
“We’ve done well down there before. We know that we’ll have chances and we’ll try to take advantage of them.”
Despite the lions facing a hectic festive schedule, Garitano explained that Athletic will take it one game at a time, adding: “We’re not looking beyond the next match. There are players who might pick up knocks or will need to be rested.
“But when tomorrow’s match is over, then we’ll start thinking about the next one. Every match is winnable, you never know where the points will come from. Tomorrow we’ll be going all out to win in Madrid.



Highlights I Levante UD 1-1 Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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A game of two penalties, as both sides get a point


Marcelino: “A victory for us would’ve been fair”
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Marcelino bemoaned the defensive mistakes that led to Levante’s goal


Athletic held to frustrating draw by Levante
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Despite constantly threatening, Athletic only pick up one point from a match where both goals came from the penalty spot


Confirmed line-ups: Levante UD vs Athletic Club
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The XI’s for tonight’s LaLiga match at the Ciutat de Valéncia


Global TV Guide: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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When and where to watch Athletic’s upcoming LaLiga match against Levante UD


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


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


A big week against Levante
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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”
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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
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The agreement includes an option for a further season depending on a number of targets.