Dafter Almost 10 days in Switzerland, Athletic enjoy a day of rest before resuming training tomorrow in Lezama. The lions started the ‘stage’ with some doubts and falling clearly in his first friendly against St.Gallen. From there, Marcelino’s work has been noticeable and the heaviness of the legs was disappearing, allowing the players to show a very serious version in the triumphs against Dinamo Kiev and Borussia Dortmund. Some positive feelings that help to face the final stretch of the preseason with high confidence levels.
Marcelino has insisted a lot on tactical work, as he has been doing since day one, and that has had its reward. Against the Ukrainians and Germans there was a Athletic well ordered, pressing effectively and that he barely conceded anything to his rivals. With the ball, the block went from less to more. It started off imprecise and with many unforced errors and He ended up showing a fluency that was very positive. They continue to accuse that difficulty in turning advantageous situations into completions, something that the Asturian coach asks very often during training sessions.
Regarding the physical work, the level has been maintained. Racing around a lake, bike tours and demanding matches have been the recipe for Ismael Fernández, Marcelino’s physical trainer, to continue squeezing the most out of the squad. At the beginning it affected the footballers a lot, something logical, but little by little they were recovering the freshness in the legs and that benefited the group in the second part of the stage. Players like Nico Williams, Dani Vivian or Unai Vencedor, among others, have offered a good version in the friendlies, especially in the last two.
“I think we are on the right track” launched Marcelino after the duel against him Dortmund. Now, the team will meet again with his people in Lezama, who will return to team training 16 months later from the last time. Another week with triple sessions to prepare the friendly of next day 31 with the Berlin Union. The start of the league championship is getting closer and the Athletic must confirm the good feelings offered in the ‘stage’ before face a season in which Europe is the main objective.
