Marcelino: “I’m happy with the team’s performance”

Athletic Club manager Marcelino García Toral looked at the positives as he analysed the Lions’ opening fixture in LaLiga Santander 2021-22.

The Lions picked up a point after a goalless draw against Elche CF at the Martínez Valero, in what was a tough match played on a suffocatingly hot night on the Mediterranean coast.

“I’m happy with the team’s performance,” Marcelino said during his first post-match press conference of the season. “It’s the first proper match and playing these fixtures away from home is always complicated.

“Even if we didn’t score a goal, we couldn’t ask for more effort and ambition from the team. We wanted to win, but it wasn’t to be. I’m happy, although I’d be happier with a win.”

The head coach insisted that the point left him feeling positive at the end of the 90 minutes.

He said: “Anything other than winning is not perfect, but I’m happy with the team’s performance. We went for the win from the first moment.

“But we could have been better and we always want to be better. We will keep working.”

Marcelino handed debuts to goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and centre-back Dani Vivian on Monday night. The youngsters put in good shifts and did not look out of place.

What’s more, the 20-year-old shotstopper who saved a point for Athletic with an acrobatic save in injury-time.

“They did well. They were very focused,” Marcelino added. “It’s not easy to make your debut in a league opener when everything starts.

“I’m very satisfied with how both of them performed.”