Marcelino’s time at Athletic

After the serious setback against Cádiz, the draw at the Ciutat de València does not serve to recover the enthusiasm of the fan or to get closer to European positions. The famous self-criticism made by the staff was in borage water. Something must change immediately so that the staff does not unplug from the team at this point in the championship.

The ball is in Marcelino’s court. The coach of Careñes knows that the team is not working in the last games. You can sweeten it all you want in the press room, but what happened last Friday does not reflect the change in the wheel that we all expected after the failure against Cervera’s team.

The Asturian technician must take measures. Without delay. Take the bull by the horns and make more or less popular decisions, but they bring the team out of its stalemate.

Nobody expects a total revolution this Friday against Granada, however, tweaks are expected to help reactivate a flat team. Marcelino finished the last game replacing the entire attacking front of the team. He sat Iñaki Williams, Raúl García, Alex Berenguer and Iker Muniain to accommodate Asier Villalibre, Nico Williams, Oier Zarraga and Oihan Sancet. The ‘Buffalo’ injury, another one, allowed Nico Serrano to play for a few minutes.

With the changes, the team improved although not enough to win. The deluge that fell during the match flooded the grass and cut off the final options for the red-and-white reaction.

Nico Williams, incumbent

For the next day I hope to see Nico Williams as the starter. He already started against Rayo Vallecano after that massive rotation of the Asturian coach. On this occasion the relief comes on the merits of both.

The sorpasso was announced. Berenguer must be an important player as he was last season, but right now the Navarrese has not made merits to preserve his position among the chosen ones. The youngest of the Williamses brings freshness, sparkle, overflow and that is something that Athletic needs right now like eating.

The bet on Nico can be endorsed by other tweaks. Sancet has many ballots to appear in the starting eleven, although the biggest punch of Raúl García sows doubt about the coach. Oier Zarraga improved the rojiblanco midfield last night against Levante at the Ciutat de València and it would be fair to give him a chance from the start.

Mikel Balenziaga, meanwhile, has lowered the level and waiting for Yuri’s recovery, Lekue could occupy that position on the left side and open the door to De Marcos or another candidate on the right wing. Actually, more after what was seen in this last league match with Athletic in contention, only Unai Simón and Iñigo Martínez have shown that right now they are untouchable within Marcelino’s starting team.