Marcelino: “Hard work will give us positive answers”
Marcelino: “Hard work will give us positive answers”
Marcelino García Toral gave his thoughts on his first match as Athletic Club manager
Athletic Club’s new head coach Marcelino stated he was pleased with how the lions performed during his first game at the helm and reiterated better results will come as a consequence of the work done in training.
The rojiblancos lost 2-3 to FC Barcelona at San Mamés. The lions took the lead through Iñaki Williams, before Pedri and Messi put Barça 1-3 up. Iker Muniain grabbed a consolation goal in the 90th minute, but there wasn’t enough time for Athletic to find an equaliser.
“Hard work will give us positive answers,” Marcelino said during his post-match press conference. “Today it was clear what our intention is. That of the coaching staff and the players.
“The team will get better and positive results will come. We must be more intense and stronger in defence. If we are solid, we’ll be safer.”
The new gaffer highlighted Athletic’s “great start to the match” and the effort made by his players against a “great Barça”.
“We started the match phenomenally,” Marcelino said. “In the first 20 minutes, we were what we want to be: agile, quick and offensive without conceding chances at the back.
“Barça’s first goal hurt us a lot and when we were recovering they got a second.
“We started the second half well and had two chances to equalise. Despite being 1-3 down, the team kept going and looked to score goals.”