Ziganda: "The international break has come at a good time"
The Athletic boss said after defeat in Balaídos that he has faith in his side and that he has two teams: "The one that plays at San Mamés and the away one."
Athletic Bilbao manager Cuco Ziganda spoke to the press after his side suffered another defeat, at the hands of Celta in Balaídos, to leave The Lions in 15th place on 11 points from 11 games.
3-0 after 25 minutes: “We started the game well until their first goal and they had hardly been over the halfway line. It’s true that we conceded three in 15 minutes, and we made it too easy for them. We were punished for losing the ball and it’s difficult to come back from that position, we had a collapse there. We were not as solid and compact as a top-level team should be.”
Getting back into the game: “The team never let their heads drop and they wanted to get something out of the game. We lacked a goal to get back into it. Celta dropped back, they closed the lines well, but we lacked a cutting edge when we had three or four chances. We tried to turn it around but weren’t able to.”
Ziganda: "I look at the day-to-day, not long-term objectives"
Liga position: “In time we’ll have to reflect on it. We have two teams at the moment, the one that plays at San Mamés and the one that plays away from home. That’s an issue we have to find a solution to. I look at the day-to-day, not long-term objectives.”
11 points from 11 games: “The international break has come at a good time for us. We’ve had a lot of games recently and it will be good to have some time to get some people back. We need the energy this will give us.”
Defensive errors: “The opposition also plays. When the score board is against you the opposition tightens it up at the back and they can blunt your attack. We tried to bring the ball out and with the players Celta have got up front they can hurt you.”
Iturraspe, Aduriz and Lekue on the bench: “Against Barça and Östersund they worked their socks off. We have replacements and that was the idea, to bring in other players, even if in hindsight it didn’t work out.”
Personal morale: “I have strength. I see two sides, the way we played against Barça, Sevilla, Östersund… how we pressed and made chances. But away from home we are finding it hard. I believe in this team.”
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