Unai Simón is clear that it is time to turn the page on the Cup. Athletic was on the verge of playing its third consecutive final, but they still have twelve League games ahead of them to say goodbye to the season. The international goalkeeper is also very clear about what the team’s objective was at the start of the campaign.
The elimination in the KO tournament, yes, has sowed disappointment in the rojiblanco environment. “I don’t notice it because my close circle gives me another sensation. If that is the case (the negativism) I understand that the shots go because the fact that the Cup is a competition that we love. Once they eliminate us, it is true that for everyone it is a disappointment, a very hard blow, but the season does not end here, ”argues the Álava goalkeeper before influencing another certainly relevant aspect.
“There are still twelve days left and our objective at the beginning of the season is to enter Europe. Right now we are seven points away from seventh, from Monday to focus on the League, to build a San Mamés fort in the seven remaining games and give it our all in the remaining five”, he clarifies.
Despite being born in Murgia, Unai Simón seems to be from the very center of Bilbao. Optimism is not lacking for the Athletic goalkeeper. Sincerity, neither.
“Is it possible to cut those seven points? We start with a disadvantage, but we have matches against direct rivals, such as Villarreal and Betis, and against others who are ahead we have already played both matches. In the remaining matches we must have an ambitious and winning attitude because if we have already had it so far, we must try to extend it further. I think we can cut those seven points”.
centenary and counting
The goalkeeper of the Bilbao team played his 100th game in the League last Sunday at the Camp Nou. A date to remember and a meeting, seen the final 4-0, to forget. “The season is going well for me, although in the last two outings we’ve conceded seven goals and it’s been quite difficult to manage. Leaving out those two games (Mallorca and Barça), we are having a very serious season, a lot of work from the defensive aspect. Marcelino has instilled in us that way of playing. I feel happy, with a lot of confidence and a lot of desire to continue playing another 100 games, at least”, he points out.
Last season was extremely important for Unai Simón’s career. In addition to establishing himself even more under the three sticks of the Athletic goal; the rojiblanco established himself as an international in competitions for national teams such as the European Championship and the Tokyo Olympics, among other events. Experience, they say, is a degree.
“All of this makes you more mature professionally. That experience that you can get from the Olympics and the European Championship, can give you better performance here at Athletic. I do notice it personally. I always say that goalkeeping is something more psychological than physical and in that aspect I improved a lot, but I still have many things to learn”, he reflects.
The Levant arrives
The ‘rojiblanco’ goalkeeper acknowledges having already turned the page on elimination from the Cup. “No frustration. You are disappointed, but you have to put your head on Monday, ”he advances. Athletic’s objective is clear, but so is the difficulty of the clash.
“Levante comes in a very good dynamic despite being in decline. Team that proposes very direct football, with fast and decisive strikers. Team that has had bad luck in many of the results because they did not hit the goal and scored quite rare goals. A team that focuses a lot on the attack and is going to demand a lot from us, especially in the defensive aspect”, warns the international goalkeeper.