Etxebarria has Levante in sights

Posted Saturday, November 09, 2013 by PA

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Benat Etxebarria has declared that he and his team-mates are determined to compensate for their poor performance at Atletico Madrid last weekend by beating Levante on Saturday.

The Basques were defeated 2-0 by Diego Simeone's side and only mustered two attempts on goal all game.

"We didn't give as good a showing of ourselves as we wanted and we are all keen to turn it around and get the three points," Benat told a press conference.

Ernesto Valverde's side conceded both goals against Atletico in the first half, and conceded twice against Elche in their last home game, before pulling two goals back in the second half to draw 2-2.

The former Real Betis man highlighted the importance of staying focused from the first minute of matches.

"One of the things we need to improve on is to start the game with more focus so our opponents don't get near our goal," he said.

"We have been making comebacks in games but we have to be strong from the start."

Striker Kike Sola is still injured, after suffering a flare up of the muscle injury that has kept him out of action for the last two months.

Full-back Mikel Balenziaga and centre-back Aymeric Laporte are also not expected to recover in time from the injuries they sustained during the match at the Calderon, although midfielder Ander Iturraspe returns.

The match sees Levante boss Joaquin Caparros return to the club he coached for four years between 2007 and 2011 and lead to the Copa del Rey final in 2009.

Athletic fans will not have fond memories of the last time they met the Valencia side, who spoiled the last ever game at the old San Mames stadium last May by winning 1-0.

The Basques are unbeaten in their new home, but Hector Rodas hopes his side can cause more pain for Athletic by becoming the first side to beat them at San Mames Barria.

"We are really looking forward to the game, we give ourselves many short-term goals, we are ambitious and we hope to get the win," the defender told reporters.

His words were echoed by midfielder Ruben Garcia, who told a press conference: "We scored the last goal at San Mames and it would be great to begin the era at the new stadium by winning our first game there."

Garcia has recovered from a knee problem and is fit to play, but defensive midfielder Miguel Pallardo has been ruled out through injury.

Levante were narrowly beaten at home by Granada last week when Piti scored from a free-kick in injury time, but they have not lost an away game since the first day of the season.