Ander Capa: “It came out of me to apologize”

“I've been in the doldrums.” Inadvertently, he gives in his first answer what could well be the headline of this interview. Ander Capa (Portugalete, 2-8-1992) committed the naive penalty that gave Osasuna the victory last Saturday against Athletic. The noble red-and-white side apologized for his mistake hours later via twitter, something unusual in the world of football. Now he only thinks about beating Sevilla.

How's the week going?

After Saturday, a little downhill. I've been in the doldrums after what happened. I apologized and with the encouragement of the people, the truth that I raised my head. Soccer is like that. There is another game this week and we have to go for it.

Why did you apologize on your twitter account for the penalty committed?

I felt guilty about it and good. It came out of me to apologize to my teammates and to all the fans and I did.

Own initiative?

Yes Yes. It came out of me. In fact, I talked about it with my girlfriend. I told her I feel bad, I asked her to see what she thought and she told me that she also saw it well. I wrote the message the next day.

Could you sleep on Saturday?

Pretty bad. Sleep yes, but bad.

Have you received a lot of encouragement since then?

I started reading the comments to my tweet and the truth is that they lift your spirits. I am grateful to all the fans. They have made me pull forward.

Capa's penalty at Sadar

For the rest, is it being a normal and ordinary week for you?

Yes. Already focused and concentrated. That is in the past and what matters is now tomorrow against Sevilla. Another chance and to prove. All the team.

Didn't you see, by the way, Yeray in this play of the El Sadar penalty?

Nerd. I was obsessed with my thing and I didn't even notice. In view of the repetition, I said 'where am I going'.

Is Athletic in a difficult situation?

The truth is that we have not started on the right foot. We have played against some rivals who do not have as much ball and in the end, the truth, you overturn the team and they usually catch you against the cons or are strong from set pieces. We have been harmed by it.

Situation comparable to that of the Berizzo stage?

When the results don't come out … Complicated complicated, either; but we are aware of the problem we have. We are the ones to blame and we are the ones who have to carry this out. To squeeze the ass and play like last year so that the results arrive.

Do you notice Gaizka Garitano particularly concerned?

The results do not come and there must be some concern, but I see him calm. We and he also know that we have a good team. He is a coach who came when we were down and we almost entered Europe and last year almost the same. Two years on the point of getting into UEFA and a Cup final … He will have done his good things. We have to wait because we are sure that we are going to take this forward together.

Did your relationship with Garitano have something to do with your message of apology?

Not at all. That was a personal matter. Neither mister, nor club, nor anything. Theme of mine.

Why this disappointing start?

We are not at the same level as we have been at other times, but I don't see the team as bad either. The only thing we lack is more precision in the last meters, the goal, and in the rest I see the team quite well. It is true that the results do not accompany and the confidence is not the same. Once confidence comes … Osasuna, for example, did not endanger us, the only thing was the penalty I committed, and they took the game. Hit the pass in the last meters and the goals and results will come.

Do you detect excessive nervousness in the environment around Athletic and Garitano himself?

I do not usually enter networks or messages because it is not pretty. I have had four years for Gaizka at Eibar and here for two and a half. He is a coach who has given me a lot as a professional and as a person. I appreciate him. I don't like to hear certain things.

You have always recognized that you are very very Athletic. Are you surprised by so much pressure?

I've always been from Athletic and seeing us in this situation hurts you, it touches a nerve. The fans give us a lot and I hope I can soon be cheering in San Mamés.

Is it strange to play in San Mamés without an audience?

It is quite sad to see the empty field without those shouts, those chants, those spirits; but it is what touches us and we must know how to adapt.

How does it look on an individual level?

I've been in better times. I'm still not at the same level as last year before the pandemic started, but I look good. With arrival above. The only thing I lack is that precision in the last pass. With victories the team and oneself gain more confidence.

It's a drag not to hit that last pass!

So is. I reach the area or the small area and the last pass I do not see clearly. I hit the opposite or a partner almost always. Right now it is what I most lack or have to specify.

Too much band for you alone?

Once you go up it costs to go down at some point, especially if you have reached the bottom line; but when I play with people who move inside, I have more band. I like it because from behind I have more ground to surprise.

And tomorrow Sevilla will arrive, a team that usually does well despite the defeat of the last League in San Mamés.

There and in San Mamés I scored a goal for them. Let's see if it can continue to be like that to remove the thorn from last weekend.

A rival to watch out for!

Great equipment. He is in the Champions League, what more can be said. He has very good players, of a very high level; but each party is a world. Last year he beat us here without deserving to lose.

Another game, like Levante, to win yes or yes?

All games are to win yes or yes, but in the end the rival also plays. We have to come out with the knife between our teeth in this match and go for the three points.

Do you think that Gaizka Garitano is in danger of not beating Sevilla?

No, I would say no for now.