Berenguer: “We need to be in good shape for the start of the season”

Athletic Club forward Alex Berenguer said the Lions are grafting away in Germany to make sure they can hit the ground running when their LaLiga 2022/23 campaign starts in August.

The Lions took on Borussia Monchengladbach and MSV Duisburg at the latter’s stadium on Sunday, after which they travelled to Harsewinkel where they have set up camp for the week.

Los Rojiblancos will kick off LaLiga 2022/23 with a visit from Balearic Islanders, RCD Mallorca, who finished 16th in the table last season.

“We have to think about being in the best possible shape for our first LaLiga fixture,” Berenguer told the media at the camp in Germany. “That’s the plan and what we’re working towards. We need to get off to a good start and then we’ll see how it goes from there.”

Athletic face further pre-season tests against VfL Bochum (Thursday, 18:00 CEST) and FSV Mainz 05 (Saturday, 17:00 CEST) before they return to Bilbao.

Berenguer added: “We’re working well. We’re getting used to what the coach asks of us. He has very clear ideas about what he wants. In the first few weeks are about adapting and getting in shape. We’re heading in the right direction.”

The winger lined up on the left flank against Gladbach, admitting he feels more at ease on the left as opposed to the right, where he played for most of the 2021/22 term.

“I feel more comfortable on the left, but I have no problem playing on the right,” he said.

“On a personal level, I don’t want to set myself any targets as such. I made that mistake last year and it hindered me a bit until January. I have to play the way I know how: stay calm, do the simple things right and work hard.”