Marcelino: “I’m convinced we’ll turn around this bad run of form”

Head coach Marcelino García Toral is fully confident Athletic Club will get back to winning ways sooner rather than later, pointing out the fact that they lead the way in terms of statistics related to effort and defensive solidity.

The Lions face Sevilla FC in Bilbao at 21:00 CET on Saturday night and Marcelino reiterated his side are working as hard as possible to make sure they pick up a first win since October.

“I’m convinced we’ll turn around this bad run of form,” Marcelino said at his pre-match press conference. “We just need to improve our effectiveness up front.

“But the team still competes despite that deficit. The statistics show that we dominate in every other area. The players are extremely efficient in defence, all whilst knowing any mistake could severely punish us if we’re not accurate in front of goal.

“In that respect we have to keep doing what we do well, which is very important. But the reality is we have to improve in attack.”

Sevilla FC come to Bilbao off the back of being knocked out of the Champions League, but the Andalusians are going strong in LaLiga Santander, where they currently sit in second place.

“It will be a very difficult game, against very physical and powerful opposition, but we’re playing at San Mamés,” Marcelino said.

“We’ve competed against all our opponents, albeit with varying degrees of success, but always full of intensity. And against Sevilla it will be no different.

“It seems to me that, even with the negative results, the fans are behind their team and they will help their team. We need that even more in times of difficulty.

“The players will give it everything they’ve got to try and bring home these three points.”

Marcelino confirmed Iker Muniain has recovered from that kept him out last week and will be available for the fixture, saying: “He’s doing well. He’s gradually returned to training with the group and he’s available for selection.”