Athletic The team has played up to 10 games so far in 2021, including two overtime
The Athletic players congratulate each other after the goal that put them ahead. LARREINA / UGS BRAND
La season 20/21 it’s being tough on all teams. The calendar has been affected by the pandemic, forcing teams to accumulate more matches in a row and increasing their wear and tear. In the case of Athletic this also happens. The lions have played 10 games so far in 2021, including three meetings with Barcelona and up to two overtimes (final Super Cup and Betis in Cup). During these clashes, a large part of the minutes has reverted to a small group of players, although Marcelino has tried to distribute efforts with rotations in the Cup and in recent days.
As is normal, Athletic is beginning to show this wear and tear, something that is especially reflected in the team’s lack of freshness when it comes to tackling the last matches. It is true that it is a situation that any footballer would have signed at the beginning of the course, since they have won a title and are only 180 minutes away from another cup final. “Do we prefer or do we not prefer to play three games a week in January? I think this is the best possible situation and we are excited about the Cup semifinal, but we have to face the two competitions with success” launched the Asturian in the preview of the duel against Valencia.
Fatigue is also reflected in the form of injuries, as happened with Iker Muniain and Asier Villalibre after the quarterfinal Cup match in Seville. Both suffer minor injuries, so they could be present this Thursday in the first leg of the semifinals against Levante. Marcelino has slipped on several occasions that they do not want to risk in this type of situation, but it seems clear that they will wait until the last moment to have these players. To be a busy week for the people of Bilbao, who will rest on Friday. It will be your first day without training or match since last December 25.
