“It’s not bad for someone to be grumpy either.”

The Athletic captain has been very clear about what Athletic’s aim is in this and other Leagues. He also knows that his role in the team has changed after the last coaching change. Muniain, an early footballer, winks at mischief, especially on the field of play.

Is the goal of Europe Athletic?

Of course. We have such an ambition, the desire to achieve it. Every year since I started the goal has been Europe, regardless of whether there is a press conference or not, I anticipate it before you ask me (he jokes). This is the goal because of what it means for the club financially and because competing in Europe is something incredible. The ability to travel, face other teams in other countries, sell the Athletic brand across the continent… It’s something special. We’re trying to bring it to kids who haven’t experienced it. It’s a huge achievement for Athletic today to compete against all of us competing. Top category rivals who make shocking signings and that’s where we fight. We haven’t achieved it in years and we are at the right time, but what this team is doing has a lot of merit but we are not satisfied yet.

But this year, unlike last, have they told the president that it is better not to stage the objective?

Those are the decisions they make.

Another question you haven’t asked yet. What do you prefer to play: midfielder or open wing?

I do not care. There are games where you feel better in the middle and there are games where you feel better on the wing. It is necessary to find solutions to the situation that the game offers you. Many times I do it inside and see that it can’t be done and I have to go sideways or vice versa. The key to everything is playing and being on the green, that’s where the things you want to happen happen.

[+] Listen to the full interview with Iker Muniain:

Marcelino came on and Athletic scored many goals from free-kick centers. Last year, however, this was not the case. What happened in such a short time?

In Marcelino’s episode, both the servers and the graduates were successful. Last year we lowered that statistic because the quality of the crosses or the finishes were not as good as last year or it was good, but they didn’t finish with a goal. Strategy gives you a lot of points and we will try to be that team that is always dangerous in set pieces.

Let’s go back to his career in Athletic. Were you promoted to the first team too soon?

The timing proved right to those who bet on me early and me as a footballer. We must bet on the youth, regardless. You know when a footballer is good, when he is already done despite his age, when he gives you an immediate performance. Football people involved as coaches, players and analysts see this. If a player is ready; You have to bet, give him love, take care of him, treat him well and put him on the green. Ball and green put everything in their place.

But you did your first preseason with Athletic when you were almost a kid.

When I was 14, I went to Soria with the first team. They took good care of me. Two or three weeks with the first team when I was young and I came back with an overload (laughing). Very grateful for those beginnings, because Mr. Joaquín (Caparrós) bet. It was fun to keep that relationship with him.

What does it mean to be an Athletic captain?

The biggest pride a player of this club can have. It means pride and responsibility. He is a very important figure in the house. There were great captains from whom I learned a lot. It is a responsibility, not only within Lezama and the club, but also within the city, within society. You are there, you are a reference and you have to prove it and always live up to it.

In your early years, you were a bit of a rebel. What are the youngsters who are now breaking into the first team?

Everything is there. The boys who come up to us are noble, with different personalities. I really like it every time they come up because I see myself reflected in them and I always try to help them, to involve them a little in the group, because I have also experienced being shy at the beginning. The quarry is where we have to feed ourselves. From the players of Bilbao Athletic, from the youth team. They are the ones who have to be there tomorrow, they have to pull the wagon and there is a process of adaptation and growth. A grumpy person is not bad either.

Why not?

You also have to be brave in teams because ultimately if you are brave off the field, you are also brave on the field and that helps you solve a lot of situations.

What were his first press conferences as a lion!

(Laughs). But when he was outside, he played inside. A lot of times nothing happens because a kid is like that because then you give him the ball and in a situation with two or three opponents he is so shameless that he still comes out of that situation successfully. within.