Unai Simón: “We must keep going”
Unai Simón: “We must keep going”
Unai Simón is confident that the side can turn the recent run of results around and show the fans that “we are the Athletic they want to see”
Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón insisted that his teammates cannot afford to let their heads drop, saying that their bad run of luck will come to an end soon.
The Lions were unlucky to lose against Sevilla FC in Bilbao last weekend, and Marcelino’s men are desperate to get back to winning ways.
“We’re all rowing in the same direction. We have to stick together in the good times and the bad,” Simón said at a pre-match press conference ahead of this Sunday’s clash with Real Betis at San Mamés (kick-off, 16:15 CET).
“We must keep going and working, that’s what will lead to improvements. If we keep getting into the opponents’ area and asking questions, the goals will come. It’s a question of persisting. This is a bad streak of luck, but I’m certain we’ll turn it around.”
Simón was honest about what Athletic are going through at the moment, stressing that they have to keep working hard. He also said that the players are keen to repay the faith shown by the fans.
“We can’t seem to get that goal, but you can see the determination there is in this team,” he added. “We’re desperate to show the fans that we’re capable of much more. We’re asking for patience every day and that can be frustrating, but we really want to show the fans that it’s worth encouraging and supporting this team. We need our fans and we want to show people that we’re the Athletic they want to see.”
Our no.1 is in great form this season, with just 11 goals conceded in 15 appearances. He admitted to feeling in great shape both physically and mentally as he competes for the Zamora Trophy for goalkeeper least goals conceded in a LaLiga season.
He said: “Of the three seasons where I have been a regular starter, this is the best in terms of numbers. But apart from that I feel good. I’m comfortable on the pitch, I know what the manager wants and the team is very focused.
“That is the mentality I’ve always had. Whether we’ve had good games or bad games the mindset has always been the same: show attitude and do my best not to concede goals.”
When asked about his future, Simón spoke about how happy and grateful he feels to be at his boyhood club, saying: “As long as Athletic want me, I’ll be stay. I owe the life I have to Athletic and I want to thank them in the best possible way, by defending the goal at San Mamés for as many matches as possible.”