De Marcos: "The overall feeling is better compared to previous seasons"

Athletic Club full-back Oscar de Marcos believes the Zurigorri are now mentally stronger than in recent seasons, pointing to the Sunday's 2-3 win over Villarreal CF as an example of this fortitude.

Los Leones were 0-3 up within 30 minutes, but a couple of late strikes gave the Yellows a glimmer of hope at the end. However, Athletic dug in to make sure they brought all three points back to Bilbao.

"We're happy," De Marcos said at a press conference previewing Friday's match against RC Celta at San Mames (21:00 CET).

"We've just won at a very difficult ground where we've always struggled to score and I think we did really well in the first half. On top of that we were very effective and going 0-3 ahead always helps.

"It looked like the game was under control, but once again football shows you that anything can happen right up until the end. Those are moments when you have to keep a cool head to avoid losing what you already have.

"The overall feeling is better this season. The games we've lost were against top sides, and, unlike last year, in other matches we've managed to come away from tough stadiums with all three points."

Celta, currently 18th in the LaLiga standings, come to Bilbao in a delicate situation after some recent controversial refereeing decisions. De Marcos emphasised the importance of Athletic concentrating on "their own game".

He said: "We focus on ourselves. Everyone has their own problems at home, so to speak. We'll go and play our own game. I trust referees to be honest. They are going to call what they see and do their best.

"I don't think we have to pay for what's happened to Celta or anyone else. Wev'e also been on the receiving end of some controversial decisions throughout this season. These are things that happen but every match is totally different.

"Celta play very well and have always made things very difficult for us. We'll try to play our normal style at home, dominate the game and look to get three points which will help us go into the international break on a high."

Being selected to play against the Galicians would see the no.18 make a 510th appearance for Athletic and move level with Andoni Iraola in fifth place on the club's all-time rankings.

"To equal Andoni is a great source of pride and personal satisfaction for me," De Marcos said. "I look up to him as an example, as a role model and an idol. He has helped me a lot.

"I'm enjoying myself on the pitch and that's a good thing. It's true I've been playing for many years now and perhaps I'm more cautious in everything I do. I don't know when the end of my career will come, so the day-to-day stuff is important. I've always felt very loved and as the years go by, even more so."