The loss of Iñigo Martínez is noted in Athletic

Athletic has only added a draw in the last two League games. The rojiblancos were defeated in the visit to Betis (1-0, with a goal from Borja Iglesias) and they couldn’t go from a draw to one this past Friday against Getafe in San Mamés (Enes Unal and Yuri Berchiche). Coincidence or not Inigo Martinez has not played either of the two games after the muscular overload he suffered against Levante and that forced him to leave the field of play to enter Dani Vivian instead.

The truth is that the rojiblanco team has made mistakes at the back that have cost points. Marcelino already complained about the lateral centers after losing in the Benito Villamarin. That’s how the Galician striker’s goal came about and that’s how the Getafe striker also scored after a pass from the right wing that he put in with ease Djene without encountering too much opposition.

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The importance of the Ondarroa plant is unquestionable. He is the true leader of the defense, the undisputed starter when he is available. In the first part of the season he formed alongside Vivian in the back line and when the Gasteiz player was injured he did it with Yeray. Now, the one from Barakaldo is the starter, but the one who remains fixed is the ‘4’.

Iñigo He gave up playing the European Championship for not being 100% both physically and mentally. The summer holidays came in handy. He arrived in preseason fully recovered and during the 2021-22 campaign he has proven to be the most regular lion. His good performance earned him to return to the Red and once again become one of the fundamental players for Luis Enrique.

The good sensations he offers on the pitch are corroborated by the numbers. Athletic has played 21 League games with him on the field, with a balance of nine wins, as many draws and only three losses to add up to a total of 36 points, 57.14% of the 63 places at stake. At an average of 1.7 per game.

The percentage drops considerably when it has been low. The set of Marcelino He has only added 5 points in the eight games without his competition after a win against Betis in San Mamés (3-2), two draws against Espanyol in Cornellà (1-1) and Getafe at home (1-1) and five defeats against Cádiz (0-1), Real Madrid on two occasions (1-0 and 1-2), Mallorca (3-2) and with the Betis at Villamarín (1-0). 20.83% of the 24 points played (0.6 on average). The difference is significant.

In Cornellà he fell late on the eleventh due to stomach problems, he has been sanctioned in three other events (Cádiz, Madrid at the Bernabéu and Mallorca at Son Moix), he could not play due to Covid against Betis and the whites at home and the The last two have been absent due to injury.

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Inigo Martinez It is the eighth lion in minutes played with 1,809. ahead are Unai Simon (2.250), Iñaki Williams (2.106), Muniain (2.020), Lekue (1.852), Winner (1.849), Balenziaga (1,845) and Danny Garcia (1,818). In addition, he has played five Cup games and two in the Super Cup.

The injury suffered against Levante was finally an overload and there was even speculation that he could play the next match, but he has already been out for two games. Marcelino He acknowledged last Thursday in Lezama that he was still having discomfort. A muscle injury is very treacherous and in these cases it is best to proceed with caution. “On Iñigo discomfort persists although there is progression in terms of that injury, but we could fall into a risk if he plays the game and increase the time he was not available. The doctors prefer to wait and for him to recover calmly”, said the coach.

Nor has he been summoned by the coach for the friendlies against Albania and Iceland that will be played on the 26th and 29th of this month in Barcelona and A Coruña respectively. The next appointment is on Sunday April 3 against Elche. He will have a full two weeks to fully recover. The team will appreciate it.