Athletic Bilbao’s midfielder Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta is clear about the team’s approach in their European campaign: focus on the next match rather than worrying about the future. With their upcoming match against Slavia Prague, Galarreta emphasized that while they respect their rivals, their primary goal is to win at San Mamés and maintain their strength at home.
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“We don’t calculate what happens with Europe, because the best calculation we can make is to win the next match at home. We’ve only played three matches so far, and until we reach the sixth or seventh, we won’t really know where we stand in this competition,” Galarreta noted, highlighting the unpredictable nature of European football.
Focus on Slavia Prague: A Challenging Rival
This Thursday, Athletic Bilbao faces Slavia Prague, a team that, like the Lions, remains unbeaten in the tournament. Galarreta praised Slavia, acknowledging the challenge they present: “They’re coming to us in a fantastic moment. It’s going to be tough, but at home, we need to show our strength.”
The midfielder stressed that the team isn’t looking past this critical clash and has spent the week analyzing their rivals. “It’s exciting and motivating. We aim to compete at the highest level and give San Mamés a day to remember. As I’ve said before, the matches themselves will define our objectives.”
European Return with Experience and Leadership
For Galarreta, this European journey feels different from his previous experience with Athletic under Marcelo Bielsa. “My earlier experience in Europe was quite limited, as I was very young. Now, I have grown in football, and I’m focused on helping the team from this perspective of experience.”
Offensive Power and Dynamic Midfield Play
Galarreta also took a moment to praise the club’s offensive line, highlighting their decisive play. “It’s incredible what our attacking players bring to the table. We want to create dynamic play from midfield, but being able to spread the ball wide and watch our wingers and forwards break down defenses is a tremendous asset.”
Among the players he mentioned was Jarugeizar, whom he credited for his energy, dynamism, and ability to drive play forward. Athletic’s collective strength, according to Galarreta, lies in their balanced offense and defense, with everyone contributing to maintaining their unbeaten streak in Europe.
Maintaining Focus: One Match at a Time
Galarreta reiterated that the team’s primary objective is to keep winning their next match, rather than making early predictions about their future in the competition. “Our best path forward is simple: win the next game. That’s the only calculation we’re focused on right now.”
