Malaga vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Balenziaga focused on Malaga test

Posted Friday, August 22, 2014 by PA

Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel Balenziaga has insisted his side are fully focused on their first game of the Primera Division season, away to Malaga, even though it comes just four days before their Champions League play-off decider with Napoli.

The Basques are 90 minutes away from securing their place in Europe's elite competition for the first time in 16 years after holding Rafael Benitez's side to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Naples.

However, Balenziaga has emphasised that getting off to a good start in the league is equally important.

"We've all said that even though it's a long league season, it's vital we get off to a good start," he told reporters.

"We have three competitions ahead of us and our squad is big enough to compete on three fronts.

"Finishing fourth will be very difficult, but we have to take advantage of this moment and try to do well. We have to take things little by little, game by game, but always setting ourselves more challenges.

"Focusing on the league won't cost us anything because it's what's happening now and is therefore the most important thing for us. We are going to treat it as if it were the Napoli game."

New striker Borja Viguera, who joined Athletic from Alaves over the summer, could make his Primera Division debut at La Rosaleda after being left out of the side that drew with Napoli and Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde is expected to make a few more changes to his starting line-up, with Andoni Iraola likely to come in for Oscar de Marcos at full-back.

While Athletic have enjoyed a relatively stable summer, with just Ander Herrera leaving the club and Viguera joining, Malaga have seen their squad revamped, with long-serving goalkeeper Willy Caballero moving to Manchester City and defender Jesus Gamez signing for Primera Division champions Atletico Madrid.

Mexico's World Cup hero Guillermo Ochoa is expected to make his competitive debut for Malaga on Saturday, as could Liverpool loanee Luis Alberto, but new signing Miguel Torres has been left out of the squad despite completing his move to the club from Olympiacos last week.

Despite another summer of upheaval in Malaga, veteran midfielder Duda is adamant his side are looking forward to the season.

"We've worked hard throughout the pre-season, we are looking forward to starting the season and we are ready," said the 34-year-old.

"The game with Athletic will be a great way to start the season."