As soon as the suspension of the Portugalete-Sestao River was known due to the positive in coronavirus of the girlfriend of a valet player on July 25, Ibon Etxebarrieta, a green-black technician, commented on these same pages that “it leaves us very cold, it is an important drop”. From there, the Las Llanas squad adopted a low profile. They were not the protagonists of that function. They have limited themselves to waiting in silence and training in the best possible way. This Saturday finally comes in Sarriena that final duel of the express playoff with the promotion to Segunda B at stake.
Again in conversation with MD, Etxebarrieta It explains how the River is and how they have lived through this time of stand by. “The team looks good, looking forward to Saturday. It is true that when the game was suspended we were caught by surprise and the first days were … We had already thought that we were going to take vacations, we had to suspend trips, we had to solve some things … From the initial blow, when the Federación said that they would play when they could, we knew we had to adapt to whatever was coming. The approach was to continue training and not lose sight of the objective, ”he says.
In addition, the green-black mister emphasizes that “we have kept ourselves apart from everything that has formed around us, it did not go directly with us. We have limited ourselves to continue working in the field to be in the best conditions. I am very confident, I have seen them overcome and train with great desire. The players are making it very easy when the situation is not. ”
Etxebarrieta recalls that “it is the ninth week, which is said soon, since we returned to train. And we have only been able to compete in a game that, normally, is what gives you a vibe, measuring others. But we have all always been clear that meeting the goal is a great reward. That has kept us going and the attitude of the players has been outstanding. There have been very few moments of doubt or decline, on the contrary. They are very excited. And notice that we have spent more than a year without stopping … But it gives me great encouragement to see the kids, we are looking forward to it ”.
The Sestao River has remained in the background in this waiting compass. “We were not protagonists, although it was our turn. It is something that cannot be controlled, it does not depend on anyone. We were focused on training, we had no role in all of this, there was little to say. Just be prepared, ”says his coach, who advances that“ we are calm, confident to get ahead and win. At no time have we departed from that idea. “
In this final, the draw is worth to Portu, who was first in the group. Great conditioning. “There is no doubt, if we are not able to get ahead and the game progresses … They have a very strong defensive structure, they do well. With them the parties are always tight, they grant little. It happens by the success, perhaps the one that Basconia lacked in his match. If we put ourselves ahead, things change, perhaps it will make them lose that plan they may have and face it in another way. The key will be to be successful on occasions “, he reflects Etxebarrieta.
The River will play without fear. “We understand that all the controls that are being carried out are in order that there is no danger. We are aware of what is being experienced and that the priority is the health aspect. There should be no problems “, launches Etxebarrieta. They will play with high temperature: “Sure, on these dates it is normal. It was already hot in the semifinals. We also train under these conditions, it is what it touches ”.