Raúl García: “We have to win, then we’ll see what happens”
Raúl García: “We have to win, then we’ll see what happens”
Raúl García is working to be fit for Sunday’s match: “I know how important it is and I want to give the coach another option in attack”
Forward Raúl García made it clear the Athletic Club players must go to Andalusia with the sole aim of getting a victory in Sunday’s LaLiga showdown against Sevilla FC.
The Lions’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Europa Conference League hang in the balance. Los Rojiblancos must better Villarreal’s result against FC Barcelona. If the Yellow Submarine lose, a draw will be enough for Athletic. But if Villarreal draw against Barça, only an Athletic win would guarantee European qualification for us.
“We’re not going to mess around, the only thing that matters is winning,” Raúl García said in a press conference at Lezama.
“We have no choice but to win, then we’ll see what happens. It doesn’t all depend on us, but we have to give it with everything we’ve got and make the game our own.”
The forward limped off with an injury against CA Osasuna in last weekend’s match, but he is doing all he can to be available for Sunday night.
He said: “I’m putting in the hours to be there for Sunday so I can be an option for the manager. I know it will be a tough match and I want to contribute as much as I can.”
When asked for his opinion on Marcelino’s future, Raúl was very clear: “Anything other than Marcelino continuing next year would be a disadvantage for Athletic.
“He is a coach who brings a lot to the table. He knows us very well and has the ability to manage a very young group together with veteran players.
“We know what Marcelino wants as a coach and starting next season with him will provide some continuity to the progress we’ve been making for a long time. Marcelino’s staying on is not only good for me, but also for the young players and above all for the Club.”