Athletic Bilbao coach EdinTerzic met with the media in Lezama to talk about the Basque derby that will be played this Sunday at SanMamés, his first official match against Real Sociedad. Terzic highlighted the good phase that PellegrinoMatarazzo's team is going through, underlining the confidence and availability of the squad after four consecutive victories in LaLiga.
In his tactical analysis, the German coach described Real as a team that combines high pressure with the ability to organize in a middle block and exploit the counterattack. "It cannot be reduced to a fixed 4-4-2 system; they are very flexible and make many rotations," he explained, pointing out that the offensive versatility of the Gipuzkoans represents an important challenge for Athletic.
Terzic also emphasized the emotional importance of the meeting. “It is the first derby in our city, so we are aware of what it means,” he commented, adding that his experience in other derbies has taught him to manage the emotions that accompany these matches. “We have to be prepared for all those emotions,” he added.
As for key players, the coach warned about the threat of XabiOyarzabal, who is a starter in the world team and a fundamental piece for Real Sociedad. “He is a key player for Real, without a doubt,” he said.
Finally, Terzic tried to divert attention from the past results between both teams. "The past can teach us, but the most important thing is today and now. Winning is what matters," he concluded, emphasizing that the objective is simply to win in the derby. Athletic is preparing for a clash that promises to be intense in both quality and passion, with the aim of ensuring victory in the coach's first official match at the Bilbao stadium.