Iñaki Williams: “San Mamés is going to roar”
Iñaki Williams: “San Mamés is going to roar”
The striker is looking forward to being back “with the Athletic family” in this Saturday’s match with FC Barcelona (22:00 CEST)
Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams said he cannot wait to play in front of a crowd at San Mamés again.
Due to the pandemic, fans have been unable to attend fixtures at The Cathedral for almost 18 months.
Saturday evening’s LaLiga clash with FC Barcelona (22:00 CEST) will be the first time Athletic supporters have been present at San Mamés since March 1 2020, when the Rojiblancos took on Villarreal.
“After such a long time, it is an exciting feeling to meet up with our family again,” Williams said about fans returning to San Mamés. “They’ve been waiting a long time, just like us, and we’re really looking forward to seeing them again.
“We want them to enjoy this team and we want them to be excited, because we’re sure we’re going to do important things this year.”
He continued: “I know that San Mamés is going to roar. The people are going to give us that boost. When we are united we’re very strong and very powerful.”
The opponents for the first home game of the 2021-22 season could not be tougher. Athletic face FC Barcelona, a team full of potential according to Williams.
“They are a great team, but we have to fight them using our own strengths,” Williams said. “We have to focus on our own game, play a lot in their own half and make life difficult for them.
“We are ready for any opponent. It will be a beautiful game on Saturday, we’re back in front of our fans and I’m sure that together we can get something positive out of it.”
The Lions picked up a point against Elche CF at the Martínez Valero in their season opener. A draw which Williams believes was just and positive.
“It was a good match,” he said. “But it was the first and we can’t draw too many conclusions. In general, we had more chances and threatened more than they did.
“In pre-season we showed that we’re a solid team and we can create chances.”
The striker is in his eighth season as a Lion and is fully focused on continuing to improve every aspect of his game.
He added: “We play football that suits my qualities. I demand a lot of myself and I know that people trust me.
“Nobody is going to make me doubt my abilities. The coach helps me a lot and he asks me to play hard. I only think about winning every weekend.”