It’s time to go for it all, Athletic

Athletic presented itself yesterday against Mallorca with four starters absent in great form: De Marcos, Iñigo Martínez, Vencedor and Nico Williams, and despite everything, they were able to line up a guaranteed eleven, reinforced by the mental solidity provided by the results obtained in this impeccable 2022.

I don’t know the result at the time of writing these lines, but I’m sure the rojiblancos have shown their high competitive power -fingers crossed-. In fact, Athletic away from home has only lost at the Bernabéu and in a game that they deserved to win. Having won the three points at the Visit Mallorca Estadi, Marcelino’s team will reach Sunday’s derby against Real just one point behind the team from San Sebastian and two behind Barça, which is fourth in Champions positions.

It is time to break down the door that gives access to Europe. Donostiarras and Catalans are the next two rivals. No one has said it’s easy, or that anything is required of the Careñes coach’s team, but you have to try.

Winning at San Mamés in the match against the San Sebastian team and drawing a week later at the Camp Nou against Xavi’s Barça would taste like glory. And then Mestalla. Oh, I dropped the pitcher!