Marcelino: “Beating Valladolid has a lot of incentives”

Athletic Club manager Marcelino García Toral urged his Lions to pick up where they left off against Atlético Madrid and put together a good run of form as the season comes to a close.

The Rojiblancos face Real Valladolid at San Mamés on Wednesday night (19:00 CEST) and will be looking to get back-to-back wins for the first time in the 2020-21 campaign.

“We want to build on the level we showed against Atlético Madrid, both in terms of intensity and team spirit,” Marcelino said at his pre-match press conference.

“We set short-term goals and beating Valladolid has a lot of incentives for us, such as winning a second consecutive match for the first time this season.

“The only goal is to beat Valladolid and for the team to play to the best of its abilities.”

Real Valladolid currently sit in 18th place and have more draws, with 14, than any other side in LaLiga Santander. Marcelino stressed ‘drawing means your close to winning’ and warned that Athletic will have to be at their best to win.

“I’m predicting a tough match and I reckon it will be decided by small details,” Marcelino said. “Valladolid have deserved better results for their efforts.

“To try to win we have to make sure that the opposing team has some doubts. If we don’t play at 200%, we’ll struggle.

Athletic picked up a morale-boosting win over LaLiga leaders Atlético Madrid on Sunday night, a victory which Marcelino believes was a long time coming.

“The footballers needed a win after so many draws in LaLiga, especially after having done enough to win many of those matches,” the manager added.

“Beating the the leaders is a huge boost. We’re happy, the players feel strong and we’re hoping to maintain that positive momentum against Valladolid and get a second win in a row.”

What’s more, Marcelino praised the squad’s younger players’ role in Sunday’s win, stating: “Our idea is to give minutes to everyone who deserves it for what they do in the training sessions and matches.

“We have to be fair and we’re very satisfied with the players’ performances.

“Everyone needs time to push the door open. If you do that, you get in, and if you don’t, you stay out. It’s all a process.”