"Everything is based on improvement"

What analysis are you doing on your season right now?

From the start of the season I started well and as the games went on I think I got a good level and better and, most of all, more comfortable; but when I was at that point the damage came. Now I’m going back to shape, that rhythm, and trying to find my best version.

A muscle injury occurred to Mendizorrotza once the fight started.

In 2 minutes.

Is it because of poor heating?

Injuries you don’t know when come. They can come to you anytime and for anything. The moment has to come, come, to deal with it in the best way and to make up for it.

He returned to the team a few games ago. Have you regained that good feeling since then?

I strive to be the best version of myself and I can give my best to the team.

What seemed evident was that he had gained Marcelino’s trust. You and Dani García, in fact, make up the most common double pivot.

We are the most common, but there is a lot of competition with Vesga, Zarraga and even Petxa, which may be present as well. It’s a healthy competition because we all try to contribute as much as possible to the team.

By the way, what happened to the U21 team against Lithuania? I think Luis de la Fuente didn’t feel good when he was shown a yellow card with a suspension with 8-0 on the scoreboard.

It was an action where I was a bit caught. I shouldn’t have gone. That card was embarrassing because I wasn’t on the team in Slovakia, where we played for the European Championship.

Was that day against Lithuania, by the way, the captain of the under-21s?

Nerd. The other day, it was true that I played with the bracelet a bit.

What does the data tell you about being the fifth player in the current squad with the most minutes accumulated in this League despite being ill for more than a month?

They were five weeks off, but my idea was to try to play a few more minutes and be with the achievements.

Last season, true, he played more games than until now, with only nine days to finish this League, but he participated in fewer minutes.

Last year, after all, was a different event. I participated in more games with my change because the coach would see it appropriate. I have been very happy both with everything since last year and with what is happening this year.

The latter was also a season with two coaches.

Ayan yun.

What aspects of the game do you think you need to improve?

This is ongoing learning. Everything will improve and in many aspects of the game I am gradually improving.

At Bilbao Athletic he played on a trivot and now, with Marcelino, he plays on a pivot. Do you notice the difference of being one or less in the middle of the field?

Is different. The game with two requires a few things and the game with three others and that’s it. It’s different, it’s gone.

Shouldn’t one cover more land with two than with three?

It all depends on the game and which rival it is, but I think it’s similar.

What’s missing more, saved the category difference, to be Bilbao Athletic’s Winner?

I don’t know if anything is missing or improving. It’s all based on improvement because whether I have it or not, it’s not a lack of something, but I prefer to listen, think, say it’s true or false, appreciate it and leave there. I want to listen to my coach, to those who want the best for me.

At Bilbao Athletic, for example, he has more arrivals.

Yes. I still scored a few more goals, but there were other circumstances as well. Yes, it is true that it can go a little over. This is one of the facets to improve.

And debuted as a scorer.

That’s true, I still miss that.

The first game I took a free kick and it hit the post. I could debut with purpose and all, but …

Is Europe possible?

Of course. We are convinced in the locker room that this is possible.

Have you created accounts yet?

As long as they give the points, everything is possible. We need to beat Elche and then prepare well for the Villarreal game.

So let’s talk about tomorrow’s fight against Elche.

A very important game against our people and we hope to give them victory.

What is your opinion on the rival?

A very strong, complex team with very good players.

Has your life changed a lot since you became an Athletic player?

Nerd. I keep doing the same, being the same person.

Do you see Santutxu often?

Not so much because the games match and between one thing and another I don’t often go, but I know everything.

And at Bilbao Athletic?

This season I saw him play two games because they coincided after practice and I watched them for a while.

Did they control the midfielders who came from behind to Lezama?

Everyone who comes to add is welcome and what we can help them with, the better.

Who do you like in those midfielders?

I was in a dressing room with Beñat Prados, a great player.

And Diara?

I don’t see enough of him to comment. It seems to me, from what I have seen and trained with him, that he is also a very good player, but I know Prados better because he has been with me for a whole year.

Tomorrow is a year since they lost the Cup final against Real.

That is something that has happened a long time ago and now we have to hope.

You stand out from the subsidiary when it comes to ball handling in play techniques. Didn’t Marcelino offer himself to let him try his luck?

I don’t know … Right now Muni is at a very good level and so is Berenguer. The truth is there are many players who can do this very well.

But didn’t you tell the coach that you were good at it too?

Nerd.