Muniain: “The squad is feeling optimistic and we’re raring to go”

Athletic Club captain Iker Muniain said the first-team squad are feeling confident and have been training well ahead of Saturday night’s Copa del Rey final.

The Lions take on Basque rivals Real Sociedad at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville (21:30 CEST) and have the chance to win a first Copa in 37 years.

“I can see the team is doing well,” Muniain said at a press conference at La Cartuja. “They’re training with intensity but they’re also relaxed and taking everything as calmly as possible given the situation.

“The squad is feeling optimistic and we’re raring to go. We’ve been waiting a long time for this match to come and the longer you spend thinking about it the more desperate you are to play.

“We’re prepared to give our maximum and try to play a good game. We’re desperate to play this final and to have a chance to lift the Copa after so many years.”

The Lions have received support from all corners of the globe over the past two weeks and Muniain stressed the side are extremely grateful. But at the same time, they’re making the excitement generated doesn’t affect their focus.

“We know Athletic is a massive thing for all our people and we can feel the support everywhere we go,” Muniain added.

“But we have to try and concentrate on what is truly important, which is to put into practice on the pitch what we’ve been working on.”

Muniain further emphasised the importance of escaping the atmosphere surrounding a match like this.

“We have been fortunate enough to experience moments like this before,” the captain said.

“And although we feel the passion, we have to remain calm.

“Finals are competitive matches in which small details count and knowing how to control that tension or keeping calm at times are the little things that can lead to victory.”