“I found myself in fullness”

“When the weekend comes I’m at my best, but during the week, the truth is that there are days when I struggle, I won’t lie. Damn, I’m pretty stiff in bed, I won’t deny it to you.”

Yuri Berchiche, by the way he behaved on the grass, did not refuse the collision. The Athletic full-back, who turns 34 this month, is having a good time at the football level. Time takes its toll on his body, but the passion to compete every day keeps it intact.

“The weekend comes, the games, and the illusion of wanting to continue for many years is still intact. This is the toll that must be paid (physical wear and tear) and that’s where I continue to gain experience and strive to give the youngsters everything I’ve learned so far. We’re getting a good team. They, the youngsters, give the energy and we, the veterans, give the experience level so they can learn,” he argue.

The Athletic left-back struggled at the end of last season and the start of this season after Carvajal’s off-ball and penalty kick left him with a broken fibula. He started the team competition, but he had to stop again. When he finally recovered, he again became one of Valverde’s regulars.

“The past is the past. I feel good, I’m happy with what’s going on. In the six years I’ve been here, the collective sensations have been the best. We still have a lot to achieve. On a personal level, here I am, celebrating my birthday. It shows, I’m not going to say no, but by contributing other things, experience for example,” he argues.

already full

At this point, Yuri clarified that “being good to yourself is the most important thing and the little things I went through outside of football were forgotten. I found myself fully, enjoying the things I like to do . This year the feelings are very positive. “Everyone is happy with what is happening.”

The defender of Zarautz is clear, in any case, that “the most difficult thing is coming to us now. This month we have to carry it no matter what. What will come will be wonderful. One by one, I insist , I feel good, even if I don’t have the same energy as in previous years. I’m also a different kind of player.”

Athletic knocked Barça out of the Cup last week, but four days later they couldn’t get past a draw at Cádiz. Some attribute this latter result to accumulated wear and tear. Yuri does not share such a theory.

“Physical wear and tear in Cádiz is no excuse for me. There was quite a lot of rotation that day and we had to focus on the game. All points are very important and in the League if you don’t give 100 percent… It won’t work for us with 99.9 percent. We have to give 100 percent to try to get as many points as possible because Real and Betis are strong and we will play them at the end of the season. We have to psych ourselves up to give our best performance,” he clarified.

Yuri, in any case, claims to be one of those people who, instead of thinking about those behind, is destined to surpass those in front. “I look up more than down. This year, it’s those at the top, with Barça suffering more than usual, that we have to exploit to get past them. You also have to look down because they are pushing hard and be alert because every game is a final. In any case, I look up more than down.”

Cup semi-final

Looking ahead to the Cup semi-final against Athletic, the left-back believes that “having two more days off is a slight advantage and we have to use it in our favor by showing a lot of rhythm from minute 1. It’s a very difficult tie and a big part of our chances will be decided there. In the return, they will also have a rest day and they will try to take advantage of it.”

The red-and-white defender gives a lot of importance to the first leg because “I put myself in the context that they can bring a little advantage and here it will be difficult to return it because they have a good coach and a good that group.”