Marcelino: “LaLiga shows the level you’re at, we must improve”

Marcelino García Toral reiterated that Athletic Club’s performances in LaLiga Santander are the true indicator of the where the team is at, admitting that the Lions should be doing better in the league competition.

Athletic take on Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín on Wednesday night -the first match after the Copa final loss against FC Barcelona- and although Athletic have only lost three times in LaLiga since Marcelino took over, they picked up just three victories in addition to seven draws in the same period.

“We have more than a month and eight matches left in LaLiga,” Marcelino said in his pre-match press conference. “It’s our duty to pick ourselves up and compete at the best level we can.

“We owe it to our fans, this badge and the history of this Club.”

The manager stressed that it was important for Athletic to make the most of the remaining fixtures and finish the season on a high.

He said: “The team can compete better. The reality is our performance has been inferior compared to our potential as a team.

“We haven’t been able to maintain our competitive level. It is our task at hand and we will work on it until the end of the season.”

When asked about the Copa finals setbacks, Marcelino responded: “To have a real chance of winning trophies, you have to compete day in and day out in LaLiga.

“It was a mistake to have left it to one side, because that’s where you really show the potential you have as a team.

“We have to be competitive every day, and that way we will have more reasons than just hope to win finals.”

Marcelino was clear in his stance against the newly proposed European Super League, arguing that it will do a lot of damage to football’s status.

“The essence of competition is to win, and winning should have the reward it deserves,” he said.

“If we move away from that, football will cease to be the top sport in Europe.

“If you win, you should receive the reward for that victory.”