Athletic is facing one of the most important weeks of the season. The rojiblancos will play this Thursday their pass to the Cup final in the second leg against Levante. They will be two consecutive games against the granotas in seven days after last Friday's tie in the League.
Mundo Deportivo has struck the opinion of three ex-rojiblancos with many battles behind them. Carlos
Ruiz, Aitor
Larrazabal and Ismael
Urzaiz They trust the possibilities of Marcelino's team, but then they warn of the potential granota, who already played a good first half in the first leg.
It is precisely the result of San Mamés that produces the most respect. The goal scored by Melero In the 26th minute it may be decisive due to the double value of the goals away from home, but in any case, the improvement experienced by the lions with the new coach gives us hope of a second final.
1. What do you think of the level that Athletic directed by Marcelino is offering?
2. How do you see the return of the Cup semifinal next Thursday against Levante?
CARLOS RUIZ
“You can win, but it will be difficult”
1.
The change of coach was a twist, the players have felt more liberated, with a more aggressive game. I don't say more easily to score goals, but I do say more goals. In this regard, morale is higher. They have seen that with Marcelino's conditions to play they respond well. Yes it is true that it is necessary to have more aim. Little by little, the confidence of the players themselves grows and they feel more comfortable with this form of play. This is very important to improve the sensations as a group and as a team.
two.
It will be a rather cumbersome match and on top of that, in such a short time we have to play three games between both teams. It is going to win for some small detail. I think you can win, but it will be very difficult. Sometimes the coaches hide some tactics or forms of play due to the fact that they can try to surprise the opponent to see if they can beat them. It's going to be a very complex game, cumbersome, pushing the ball out a lot. It's going to be complicated, I don't think there will be too many chances to score. The team that finishes first can be the one that goes to the final. I repeat that it will be a complex, difficult game and I say this because of the fact that I have played three games in such a short time.
AITOR LARRAZABAL
“The team is more convinced”
1.
I honestly see the team well. Regarding Athletic, two and a half months ago, he has changed some records. The team is more convinced of what it does, from player to player, because the team is very similar to the previous one, but nevertheless on the field it develops different records. There is something different, it is evident. Many times the mental aspect is so important that the rest of the aspects revolve around it. If the footballer believes that he has the capacity to do more things, he will translate them on the field of play. This is what this team has shown, which is offering a high level in general.
two.
The first leg of the Cup was not the best match for Athletic de Marcelino. But nevertheless it is a team that right now is capable of becoming mentally strong against any rival. The return is like a final, it awards a prize. The players are capable enough to face it in the best possible way, despite the fact that the result of the first leg is not the best possible. This Athletic has possibilities. Levante also has important virtues. He already showed it in the San Mamés game, but it also has gaps. In that give and take, I hope that Athletic will be able to get through the tie and get a place in the final in Seville.
ISMAEL URZAIZ
“The pass to the final is at 50%”
1.
I see an Athletic with a predetermined script that comes out to execute it from the beginning of the matches. The staging of the matches are good, putting a high pressure on the exit of the ball and the transitions are also good. It is a team that has won records. In my opinion, he arrives with quite a few players at the top, this is positive, and in every game he is having goal options. It is true that in recent times he is missing the opportunities he creates. It is the difference today in football, the efficiency in the areas. It is an Athletic that still has room for improvement.
two.
We are not going to fool ourselves, it is not the desired result for the first leg at home, but we must be aware that the games are without an audience in the stands. This factor has disappeared and this is beneficial for Athletic. We are at the gates of another final. This will keep the players fully focused. I think the chances of each team are 50%. Levante are going to play well, we have to counteract their virtues. It is a team that fluctuates the ball well from defense to attack and when it gets ahead on the scoreboard, it retreats and has fast players, especially Morales, to play against. He is a complicated opponent, who has shown to have a level bench to refresh the team.