Marcelino: “Rayo will really push us”
Marcelino: “Rayo will really push us”
Marcelino demands the Lions do their “duty as professionals” which is to try and win every match
Marcelino García Toral reiterated that Athletic are in for a tough day on Sunday as they face Rayo Vallecano in a LaLiga Santander fixture at Vallecas.
The Lions are coming off the back of a momentous 3-2 Copa win over FC Barcelona on Thursday night. However, Athletic will face stiff opposition in the form of Rayo Vallecano, the team with the best home record in LaLiga so far this season.
“Rayo will push us really heard. They’re having a very good year,” Marcelino said at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“At home they have better numbers than Real Madrid. If they had similar results away from home, they would be even higher the table.
“They have a very clear idea about how they want to play the game, and they do it in a way which suits their squad and their stadium.
“Our duty as professionals is to go into in every game with the intention of winning. To do this, every match requires maximum energy, maximum effort and accuracy.”
Despite the exertions of the Supercopa and Thursday’s extra-time win at San Mamés, Marcelino argued Athletic will have no excuses if they lack a physical edge.
“We played a great game on Thursday and left everything out there, but competing is always demanding like that,” Marcelino said.
“We’ll have it give it our all for another 90 minutes. Rayo Vallecano and their stadium will mean we need immediate reactions during game. Rayo is a team that attacks fast and attacks well. Our decision making will have to be quick and accurate.
“They’re a solid and hard-working side. In 10 home games they have won eight and drawn two. That shows they do things very well.”
Captain Iker Muniain will not be available for selection after testing positive for COVID-19. While Marcelino said the player will be missed, he stressed it is a routine part of the game and Athletic will have to adapt to his loss.
“It’s never great for a coach when there is an injury or something like this because it reduces our selection choices,” he added.
“However, it’s something we’ve had to deal with for a while now and we’re used to it.
“The most important thing is that the player is at home in good health and without any issues.”