Ibai Gómez was unable to witness the Athletic Cup final live. Once he did not get tickets in the draw that brought him to the red and white club and he did not make any move to try to go to La Cartuja. His past experiences, as a fan and especially as a player, have been negative. This time, however, he stayed home and the lions won.
What do you think of Athletic this season?
Amazing. The one they messed up. The first day against Madrid was the year the team created the most doubts in me and then, however, we saw the best Athletic since the Marcelo era. Another type of Athletic: more upright, more direct. At the level of the defensive order it is different. I love Nico Williams and Sancet. I too am a true defender, I have always been, of Guruzeta; a player who, with Williams and Oihan, is the perfect striker. What happened a few years ago in Madrid with Benzema and Cristiano. Demar had a fantastic year; Yuri we already know what it is, always at a high level; the central…
Beñat Prados…
Furthermore. They are all at a very high level. High level from everyone.
What does Valverde give you?
If you ask me who is the best, I say that the coach who had the biggest impact on me is Bielsa, especially in offensive concepts; but the most complete coach is Valverde. His message reaches many and his way of being it reaches the player as it does is very complex. He also reads the game very well and is 90% correct on changes.
And what is your profile as a coach?
You have your essence. The message you send to the player is the one you have to believe. You can’t copy a coach. Many ideas from Marcelo, Ernesto, Marcelino… but in how I see football. I trust my idea because you learn things from all the coaches.
Are you in Seville for the final?
I didn’t get in and I didn’t even try because at Mestalla I was watching and we lost and all the games I played as a soccer player we lost. I told myself ‘I’m not going to go and see if I’m jinxed’ and we won. I will not go to the final again (laughing).
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.
