Iker Muniain: “We’ll do everything possible to give this victory to our fans”

Athletic Club captain Iker Muniain has sent a measured message ahead of the Copa finals.

He expressed his excitement in the lead up to the final against Real Sociedad, but also spoke of enjoying the moment and avoiding pressure.

However, if they do lift the Copa for the first time in 37 years, Iker has made it clear who the trophy will really belong to.

“We’ll do everything possible to give this victory to our fans,” Muniain said.

“The team is very excited, but we’re also calm.

“We can feel the support of the fans from their homes, when you go outside, via their messages, etc.

“But at the same time, we’re distancing ourselves from all of that and concentrating on the work, and on the details that will allow us to win this match.”

The captain says the fans will be sorely missed. The all-Basque final was delayed with the intention of fans being able to attend and Muniain admitted it will be said not to have supporters cheering them on at La Cartuja.

“We’re going to miss the fans a lot, as we have done throughout this season, as they can’t be with us in San Mamés,” The captain added.

“We’ll miss them even more now, especially with it being a final and derby and everybody being desperate to have such a great night.”

The coaching staff and many members of the squad have changed since Athletic booked their place in the final at Granada last season, but Muniain insists they’ve not been forgotten.

He said: “We haven’t forgotten them. We keep them all in mind, whether it be the players who were with us last season or the former coaching staff. All of whom helped us to get to this final.

“It was a cup run which was very intense, in which we fought hard, recovered from setbacks and always managed to keep moving forward.

“Obviously, if we win the trophy, it’s as much theirs as it ours. We feel like they’re with us, and hopefully, we can win it for them too.”

Finally, Iker sent a message of caution ahead of the final, saying: “We saw it in the Super Cup, people were able to celebrate it and share that moment in an appropriate way. Not as we all would have liked of course, but in a way the situation calls for.”