“We have earned the right to be able to ascend,” he launched Joseba
Etxeberria in early May when it became known that the Federation wanted to close the campaign in Segunda B with an express playoff. That time has come. Bilbao Athletic are already watching weapons for their all-or-nothing match against Badajoz at the Nuevo Mirador de Algeciras on Saturday. Cross between third parties. If they overcome it, they would have two more games left to achieve promotion.
Etxeberria He is satisfied with the level they have reached in this preseason after the break due to the coronavirus. “The team is very good, we spent a long time without training, but in these seven weeks we have picked up the pace well. We have had the opportunity to play two games with Basconia and Logroñés, people are eager, we are ready. It will be a tough match, but I see the team with a lot of confidence to win the first match ”, he says.
Regarding this final phase, looking for the ticket to the Second Division, the Bilbao Athletic coach comments that “we are the 16 highest ranked teams, we have to win three matches, but our thoughts are on the first match. We have a very young team, but with a very high level. We have always been in the top positions, we are the ones that have scored the most goals, we do many occasions … We have to play like all year, we will go for the game, it is a big challenge, but we are prepared, with desire and confidence ”
The one from Elgoibar puts on the table that “in principle, the temperature in the game will be high, but we are prepared, in the last days we have talked about it. Our intention is to put a very high pace, we have speed and people with mobility above. We want to play on his field most of the time. People are very motivated, we hope to get through first and be in the semifinals ”.
Etxeberria points towards his players, with special interest in Tascón and Urain, that “everyone is well saved Baqué, which recovers well, but will not arrive. We have had players with discomfort but in the last week they have all been well and we are happy that we have different alternatives to choose from, especially above, because during the year we have had very few options. Too Guruzeta comes with us and Nico Serrano, that can give us alternatives in attack ”.
At a general level, the puppies' coach highlights that “I see the team prepared to play with this format, and also if it had been round trip. The feeling that he transmits on a daily basis and in the two games we have played are very good. It is new for everyone, we do not know how people will respond, but I think we will get there very well. Having been unemployed for so long can benefit us when it comes to recovering our shape sooner, they are young and light and they take it right away. But it will not be something differential, it has been seven long weeks to prepare it, we were more concerned with the psychological aspect, counting on the fact that they are 21-year-old kids who have been locked up. It was a bigger handicap. We knew that it was a professional and hard-working group and in the confinement it has been reaffirmed even more. It is a solid and strong team and that mentality can lead us to do important things ”.
Etxeberria Reflect on that eternal double goal of Bilbao Athletic. “We know that the first victory is for players to go up to the first team. The distance is getting closer and there are players knocking on the door. But there is one more parallel objective for the group, trying to move up the category. It is difficult, but we believe that we are prepared. We have been in the top positions all season. It would be ideal, if we could ascend and Basconia as well. We know that this distance with the first team being in the Second Division is less and, in the economic aspect, the club would have significant income, ”he comments.
With respect to the rival, to Badajoz, the rojiblanco coach points out in his radiography that “he has a lot of work, is very orderly and at all times balanced. It is a team that has the quality to circulate the ball, is fast on the outside in transitions and normally plays with a 4-4-2. It is clear that it is a team of guarantees, we know the rival that we face after analyzing it well, we will have to make a very good match to win. But we are prepared, if we are well we can beat anyone, we go with the maximum guarantees. ”
Etxeberria portends a meeting “very even and possibly closed in which we will have to be very focused. But above all, we do not have to change the way we play and think, it is what has led us to be third in the regular league. The rival has a lot of potential and we respect them, but we do too and we know the game that we are interested in playing. ” He also remembers that Badajoz is a solid team, which has been in the top positions all year. It is made with the intention of uploading. He had a change of coach when he was fourth, that makes it clear what his goal is. But we have very clear ideas and we are looking forward to it as soon as possible ”.