Athletic coach Ivan Terzic has confirmed that Johaneko's versatility has been decisive for the young player to establish himself in the team's rotation in his first year as a lion. In the press conference prior to the game against Getafe, Terzic highlighted the energy, physicality and danger that the forward brings, as well as his ability to occupy the four positions on the wing.
Johaneko has appeared in seven of Athletic's eight official matches and has started four of them. The German coach highlighted that, although he is not the youngest player on the squad, his lack of experience in the first team has not been an impediment. “He had a really good preseason in which he brought a lot of dynamism, physicality, pace and danger in attack,” said Terzic, underlining the importance of his performance in the preparation phase.
Johaneko's versatility has been a key factor in Terzic's decision to use him in different positions. "He is capable of playing in all four positions on the wing. That is where we try to use him and that is the reason why we move him," explained the coach. The player has started games both on the wings and on the left side of the attack, demonstrating his adaptability and his ability to cover different areas of the field.
The Athletic coach also acknowledged that, as this is the first time Johaneko has played at this level for so long, it is normal for there to be ups and downs in his performance. “It is normal that there are ups and downs in his football since it is the first time he has played at this level for so long,” Terzic said. However, the coach added that this does not represent a problem as long as the player continues to work hard in training, as he is doing.
Terzic concluded that Johaneko is “an incredible player and a very important part” of the team. With his dynamism and his ability to cover various positions, the young forward has become a key element in Athletic's strategy, which predicts a promising future in the club's squad.