Marcelino: “We must approach the match with absolute respect”

Athletic Club manager Marcelino García Toral stressed that the Lions must not underestimate Cádiz CF during their LaLiga Santander match in Bilbao on Friday night (21:00 CET).

While Los Rojiblancos are undefeated in their last five matches, the Andalusians have three draws and two losses in their previous five fixtures.

“Overall, we’re satisfied. In attack we’ve improved compared to the beginning of the season,” Marcelino said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Cádiz’s visit to The Cathedral.

“We have to be careful with Cádiz, because they’ve done well in tough games at difficult stadiums before. Last year they beat us, so we have to approach the game with absolute respect and with the maximum intention of winning.

“When playing against a team that is compact in defence, the spaces are found through passing, speed and individual skill. We’ll need to make good decisions, and we’ll need to play at a high tempo without rushing. Hopefully we can bring all these aspects together.”

The Lions are going for a third consecutive home victory and Marcelino reiterated that Athletic’s form in Bilbao would have an important impact on their league position at the end of the season.

He said: “Athletic’s good league finishes have always been influenced by their performance at San Mamés. Our fans’ support is vital for us, and we enjoy playing in front of them.

“We’re know that with the Athletic fans behind us we’re a better team. We have a lot of enthusiasm and we’ll try to make sure the crowd pick up on that enthusiasm. A third consecutive home win would put us in a very good position, both in the league table and in terms of our morale.”

With Iñigo Martínez suspended for the match and Dani Vivian out injured, the manager was asked about Yeray Álvarez’s fitness – the centre-back only recently back from injury himself.

“His progress has been good,” Marcelino added. “Yeray is very tough and competitive. He had a bit of soreness before the start of the game against Real Sociedad, he played and in a brief moment that pain was aggravated. However, we’ve looked after him during the week and he’s ready for the match.”