It has cost him to enter the eleven of Athletic, but has already accumulated several consecutive titles. Unai Victor (Bilbao, 11-15-2000) looks like a winner. It is not surprising in such circumstances that he likes his last name so much. From txiki he was looking at Gurpegi and Ander
Herrera, two media with a very different football profile. He, at least so far, has proven to be something of a mix of both. Tomorrow he will experience his first derby as a lion against Real. Everything also points to its ownership.
How his situation at Athletic has changed in just over a month now!
So is. Now I have had to play and very happy. Trying to help the team at all times and see if we manage to link one victory with another.
The visit of Betis, with the future of Garitano in question, came out of the headline and everything went smoothly.
True. The day of Betis I got the opportunity to play from the beginning and it went well. We won, we played a good game and really happy.
With your last name you have no choice but to succeed yes or yes?
I really like my last name. And hopefully so (laughing).
Has your life changed a lot since that day at Betis?
Nerd. The same routine as always and everything the same.
Now, after having repeated several starts, do you feel more confident?
At the end of the day when you are not playing you have other different sensations. Now that it's my turn to play, I'm very happy. With more confidence and eagerness.
Rico, Iturraspe, San José, Beñat … The renewal of Athletic's average of two seasons this time has been important.
Players have left, but we are also now others who can contribute a lot to the team. That's what we work for. With Sanjo and Beñat I agreed, even in some training with Rico.
Do you learn a lot from veterans?
This is constant learning. Every year you learn things from your classmates, every day too. You keep looking and you try to get the best of each one and they are also willing to help you as much as possible.
His first season as a rojiblanco was 2017-18 and in 2019-20, at the age of 19, he already debuted with Athletic. Why did you arrive so late in Lezama?
I dont know. The time came that year and I was very happy to come to the club of my life.
Is it true that the call of Athletic being a Santutxu youth responds to the interest of another First Club?
I was not very aware of it, my agent carried it. My first option, as always, had been Athletic. Come here, stay here and fight to play every possible minute.
Always mid-center?
Yes. In Santutxu I got to play a little more forward, but almost always half center.
In his first press conference as a lion, he assured that of txiki he always paid attention to Gurpegi and Ander Herrera. Two means, yes; but with a very different profile, right?
I looked at all the good things that Gurpegi had: fight, drive, anticipation, the claw he imposed on the field, strength … And Herrera in his technique, how good a footballer he was, in how he played the ball … I choose the best of each one to learn and as you grow to try to do it.
You recover well in midfield and you know how to get there. Could you say that it is a mixture of both?
Seen like this, one could say yes.
And is it compatible with Dani García?
Yes. I get on very well with him. He helps me in everything he can, he is a great player and the truth is that I am very good with him. After all, the coach is the one who decides who we play and who we don't.
Dani García himself also saw such a combination possible a few months ago. He close to the centrals and you a little ahead. Do you share the idea?
I also believe it.
Has Garitano changed a lot from when he was your coach at Bilbao Athletic to now?
No. I see him the same, with the same winning as always.
The coach must not be having a good time with so much pressure!
I think that this is more a matter from outside, from the street, than from within the club.
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When you go out on the street you don't hear anything about the coach or the team's situation?
Friends are there to give you a hand, although they make a joke from time to time. They are always ready to make your day better.
Yes, but now more people will meet him.
Yes, but it is bearable.
Does Garitano give you the same freedom of action as in the subsidiary?
Neither yes nor no. Second B is not the same as First and this team is not the same as we had at Bilbao Athletic. They are different categories. He tried to do and help the team the best possible and that's it.
Do you still need to get loose in the first team?
The First to Second B is different. I am little by little looser and more confident, really.
Well, they don't let him take the fouls or the corners!
We have very good pitchers and it is the least of it. As long as the centers are well placed and we score goals, let anyone take them.
Well, on the day of his debut against Osasuna (16-2-2020) he threw one and sent the ball to the crossbar and as soon as he got on Bilbao Athletic he was always predisposed to do it, even if they didn't let him.
Yes Yes. After all, I trust myself. I have a good hit from set pieces and if they let me, I hit him.
Does the coach force you now to give too many security passes?
He doesn't tell me anything like that. I do what I think the game requires.
With which game do you stay of those you have played with Athletic so far?
With that of Villarreal, individually, or that of Getafe.
Does Vencedor have much room for improvement yet?
Yes Yes. Anything I can learn from my colleagues or what I can see, welcome.