“We can repeat last year”

Aitor Elizegi makes it clear from Saudi Arabia that Athletic faces this Super Cup with the intention of repeating last year’s title in Andalusia. The head of the rojiblanco club considers that the Bilbao team, from the outset, makes history by repeating participation for the second consecutive year.

“We make history because we bring Athletic very far from home to show a way of understanding this sport in front of three rivals with whom any club would be willing to compete. That shows what has been achieved to date and what happened last year. Few clubs can face two games in such a short period of time and at the same time feel capable of doing it. A difficult, important and tough mission, but at the same time many of us think that we can try to repeat what we demonstrated last year “, argues the rojiblanco president from Riyadh.

Regarding how Athletic arrives at this appointment, Elizegi assures that “they are convinced. They have been competing in the Cup for two years, competing in the Super Cup. More than 24 months of qualifying. Since December 2019 it is a team that has shown that in the world from the playoff he feels brave, not comfortable, but brave. “

The head of the Bilbao club is clear that “Atlético is the league champion and it will be a tight, even and probably very long match. We tend to be close with Atlético lately, we play good games and generally decide on the small details “I do not expect anything else tomorrow night. A couple of details that I hope are in favor of Athletic and allow us to go until Sunday.”

Regarding the statements of Raúl García, in the sense that the Super Cup should not be played outside of Spain, Elizegi responds that “maximum respect for the words of a veteran who has gone around the world. I have not tired of repeating it on Athletic is happy, it is bigger, in San Mamés. Near San Mamés is where we feel like a club and important. We must put into perspective that far from home both the Federation and other institutions also obtain resources that allow us to sustain an important part of what What domestic competitions mean and that perspective in which these resources should be reinvested in grassroots football also seems important to me “.

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The Athletic president insists that “for all of us it should be and is an opportunity to tell the world about a unique project like Athletic’s. This Super Cup allows this part of the planet to contrast that there is a different way of competing than others. three rivals “.

The lions, in any case, will not be able to count on the support of their fans tonight either. “Very sad. We played Super Cups and Cup finals behind closed doors. Athletic is Mancha Real, it is Intercity. Athletic is happy in San Mamés on the 19th or 20th against Barça at home … Professional football opens up ways away from its competitions for trying to obtain resources. After 124 years of history, we understand football close to our fans, in our stands and if we travel strangely, it is where the fans do not join us, “concludes Elizegi.

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