Athletic can now focus on LaLiga taking into account that the second leg of the Cup semifinal is not played until March 4. The rojiblancos are four points behind the relegation places. Therefore, tomorrow victory is very necessary. “We have to win, we have only won one game away from home, with three draws. We have many defeats. We have to face this need, without obsessing that we have to win, but we have to add points to move up in the table. We must play an intense, strong match. The teams suffer at Carranza, for example, Barça lost there. You have to work hard, they only have one point less than us. All of this leads us to think that it will be a demanding match, we are going with the ambition to win it. In our head we can only win. Victory is very important ”, he said. Marcelino at the pre-match press conference.
In any case, you have to play without nerves at Carranza. “We should not have anxiety because it will lead us to precipitation, but we do have a need, we want to win and score those three points. Cádiz is a team that uses direct play and second plays. He is very dangerous on the backlash, he does not care about possession. We have to try not to make mistakes because counterattack is one of their main weapons. You have to avoid risky passes and finish the plays ”, said the Asturian, who did mention his own name, that of Negredo. “In the area, Alvaro He is a very good player. The game is going to be difficult, it may not be attractive, we have to adapt. Be more productive and have the right to win ”, he added.
Again, one of the objectives is not to concede a goal. The rojiblanco team has not yet achieved it with the Asturian as coach. “It should be a goal, but not an obsession, because then we will surely fit in. It is true that rivals reach us very little and have a very high percentage of success, but this is no excuse, we must not consider that this is bad luck ”, explained the coach.
On the other hand, they also want to avoid conceding goals from Athletic. So much so that on Friday Alvaro Cervera, affirmed that his absolute priority now is to “close the door” before the bleeding they have been receiving lately, with 15 goals conceded in five games, four in the League and one in the Cup. Marcelino this approach of the rival coach? “It doesn't change anything for me, the idea of all teams, including the greats, is always not to concede goals, because that gives you stability. We have to try to be deep and generate chances, football is simple, in my opinion the team has to be balanced. We know how we become dangerous for rivals and we have to influence it as often as possible. This is the idea ”, he explained.
After the whirlwind of matches in January and part of February, now comes a certain 'tranquility' with more time to thoroughly prepare each match. The next one will be Sunday February 21 against Villarreal. Marcelino he is happy about it. “It is a satisfaction, also for the footballers themselves. Getting free from so many games will help them recover physically. But mentally it is also important. It will allow us to work on concepts that we need to insist on. Welcome. It is great for us, we will try to take advantage of these weeks to improve the game. We must all be happy with what Athletic is offering, we are delighted with the attitude of the players ”, the coach reiterated.