He was in Athletic’s starting eleven on matchday 32 of the last League and since then he has not missed a single match in this competition. 25 games in a row, two of them replacing a teammate, and 18 complete. Neither the serious back problems nor the fourth yellow card he saw against Valencia, the 11th matchday, did not stop him from forming the axis of the red and white defense. Aitor Paredes (Bilbao, 04-29-2000), who jokes when he remembers that his debut as a lion was in the 89th minute and as a left back, now wearing the 4 left by Iñigo Martínez on his back . A challenge.
Did you know that he played for Athletic in 25 consecutive league games?
The truth is I have no control over that information.
And what does the data tell you?
He tells me that the coach trusts me and that I am doing well. I remember that I ended up playing everything in the last League and luckily I started to get a lot of minutes again in this one. This is what I dreamed about years ago. Expect this to continue.
He made his debut as a lion in the 89th minute at Cádiz-Athletic on August 29, 2022…
With 0-3 on the scoreboard and as a left-handed back (smile). The coach with the sides… because Beñi (Beñat Prados) also has times throwing to the side. Invent things.
Even more memorable debut if possible, in any case.
Yes because I have never played left-back in my life. Right yes sometimes, but the truth is it’s not a place, the band, where I feel safe either.
He played many of these last games as a starter with back problems and four yellow cards. Messy!
After the Barça game I started to notice some discomfort, they did tests, it turned out I had it and we worked to be able to play. I had some uncomfortable matches, but I was able to play and luckily the matches went well. We got off pretty well considering how uncomfortable I was. Now I’m so comfortable, I don’t need to drink anything. And with the four cards he always told me that ‘you have to hold on even until Yeray recovers’.
Have you ever suffered in the field?
In the Valencia game, when the coach changed me, I was stiff. Starting from the last break, however, quite comfortable.
Despite all these distractions, you and Vivian, the center backs, have been the subject of criticism on certain occasions.
Yes, we suffered more defensively in some games and scored more goals, but when the result is good… In Valencia we conceded two and drew, with Celta three and we won. The criticisms are there, obviously, but the important thing is that the team won.
And do you handle criticism well?
I’m studying. I’m not much of a reader either, but I get it because ultimately we live with people seeing us and criticizing us and enjoying us. We defenders know that if they score goals against us we will collapse.
Not the most critical of yourself?
Definitely. We have been playing football for many years and we know when we do wrong and when we do well. We also have the help of the coaching staff to warn us about what we may not realize. The idea is to keep improving and everyone is moving in the same direction.
Is it difficult for a center back to play like Athletic’s Valverde?
Yes, because you are more exposed and there are times when you have to face each other and in the open field. No matter what argument you have, you have to win no matter what because otherwise they will make you run in your place and create opportunities. Sometimes we fail and end up in the picture, but on the other hand he gives us a lot of things like stealing balls in the opposite field and the closer to his goal, the better. It has its risks and rewards.
The truth is that Iñigo Martínez is gone and no one remembers him.
It’s normal that people want Iñigo to stay because we all know his level, but we are ready to play at any time. We are centre-backs who also have a good level and can do our job well to be in the fight for Europe.
Also from Lezama.
From home, it prefers.
Yeray returns and ownership gets complicated. How is the competition?
We are happy because if one fails due to any sanction or injury, Yeray can be there and the team will not have the dependency that Vivi (Vivian) is always there and I will be fine. The coach will be glad to have Yeray back.
Don’t you see Nolaskoain as a center back?
Yes. Here, at Athletic, he made his debut and established himself as a center back alongside Berizzo. Great player, but his profile seems to play a little more forward, more creative.
UEFA is possible, what did Kendall say?
We are there now. Things are going well, we are doing well and we are happy on the field. Everyone was happy to see us at the top. This is very long, but let’s try it.
Champions or even a possible title, as Ancelotti said?
I’ve seen it, I hope (laughing). We try not to let those below catch us, but we always look up. I wish. It is very long and has many levels.
Well, Ancelotti has a lot of experience in football and he knows what he is talking about.
He has a lot of experience, of course.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
