The Basque entity has fallen on harsh times with controversy surrounding Marcelo Bielsa and the sale of lynchpin Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich affecting their form in Spanish top flight domestic competition.
With http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 stealing a march on champions Real Madrid in the opening three La Liga fixtures, start of 2012/13 Primera Division has seen dwindling fortunes for Athletic Bilbao. The San Mames based outfit have staggered in their opening fixtures and are
desperate to hit top form.
The 2012 summer transfer window oversaw the sale of Javi http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Llorente-c13671 also seeking to part ways come the end of the current season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s altercations with contract workers at the Lezama have not helped the cause of Los Leones, who have registered a single victory and suffered two defeats from their three domestic meetings.
Defensive midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ander-Iturraspe-c5544, took out time to reflect on the situation Athletic Bilbao currently find themselves in.
The youngster admitted that they have been below par in the opening exchanges of 2012/13 La Liga season, and are desperate to find the form that made them darlings of Spanish top flight football last season.
However, Iturraspe shared that they still have the motivation and will give their best to turnaround the situation. The Abadino native acknowledged that player sales has affected them but believes the reinforcements can get the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 done.
“It was incredible [last year] and to repeat it will be tremendously difficult,” the 23-year-old admitted while talking to reporters at the Basque club’s Lezama training base.
“But the hunger is there and the necessary conditions are there too. We will do everything possible. We have lost players, but others have come in and will bring something extra.”
Iturraspe also refused to blame manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Bielsa for their poor form and inability to finish off matches.
“They were totally respectable tactical decisions. If he [Bielsa] decided to send someone else on it was because he thought that player could bring something else to the team,” Iturraspe said.
Athletic are currently 15th in La Liga points table, with a paltry three points to show for against their names.
Tags: