Terzic assesses Nico, Laporte, Vivian, Prados, Canales, Gerenabarrena, Yuri and the trip to Barcelona
Edin Terzic has appeared in a press conference ahead of the Athletic Club visit to Barcelona. The rojiblanco coach reviewed the squad's physical condition, the absences of Vivian and Beñat Prados, the options of Nico Williams and Laporte, the role of the youngsters and the controversy surrounding Yuri's sanction. He also showed full confidence in his team's chances at the Camp Nou.
Athletic Club
Edin Terzic began by taking stock of his team's physical condition in a week that is especially demanding for Athletic. The coach believes the group is responding well physically, although he confirmed the absences of Dani Vivian and Beñat Prados.
Daniel Vivian1.770.000€-180.000€ ?
DFRegarding Vivian, he explained that he still needs a few days of individual work before he can rejoin training with the rest of his team-mates.
Beñat Prados300.000€-30.000€ ?
MDAs for Beñat Prados, the coach confirmed that he has a minor injury and is hoping to have him back soon: «We hope he will be back training with us from next Monday or Tuesday».
Terzic also recalled that this will be the first week of the season with three matches, two of them away from San Mamés, so the coaching staff will have to manage the workload particularly carefully.
The trip to the Camp Nou and the famous «dentist visit»
One of the most curious moments of the appearance came when Terzic was asked about that phrase by Joaquín Caparrós, who described matches against Barcelona away from home as a «dentist visit».
The German coach replied with humour: «Sometimes you go to the dentist and it hurts, but other times they just do a cleaning and it doesn't hurt, and it's not as bad as you think».
Beyond the joke, Terzic made it clear that Athletic are approaching the game with ambition and without any complexes. He considers Barcelona one of the best teams in the world, but insists his team is not travelling thinking only about surviving.
«We don't feel like we have to go to the dentist. We prepare to take on a very difficult match against one of the best teams in the world», he said.
How will Athletic approach the match against Barcelona?
Terzic said Athletic's plan will not change despite the stature of the opponent. His intention is to maintain the team's identity and try to play their own football at the Camp Nou.
«We are going to prepare in the best way possible to play our football. It doesn't matter who it's against or where», the coach said.
The rojiblanco coach believes it is vital to stay focused throughout the match against an opponent capable of punishing any mistake. «We have to be ready from the first second to the last», he warned.
Terzic also sounded optimistic about his players' chances: «We are prepared, we want to take on this challenge and put ourselves to the test. I'm pretty sure we are going to put in a good performance».
Will Nico Williams and Laporte start?
The coach did not want to give any clues about whether Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte will be in the starting XI against Barcelona.
«I'm not a coach who wants to make it too easy for other coaches or for the opponent», Terzic replied when he was asked directly about both players.
That said, he highlighted that both had a positive impact after coming on from the bench against Sevilla and that they have responded well physically over the last few days.
Special caution with Nico Williams
Nico Williams11.330.000€+890.000€ ?
DLTerzic placed particular emphasis on the situation of Nico Williams. The winger continues to build up competitive rhythm and the coaching staff do not want to take unnecessary risks.
«We have to be very careful, especially when we talk about Nico», he admitted.
The coach recalled that the Spanish international has gone a long time without playing a full match. «I think his last 90-minute game was in January», he explained, pointing out that he has only built up a few weeks of continuous training.
Therefore, even though his feelings are good, Athletic will continue to manage his minutes progressively.
Gerenabarrena and Peio Canales
The coach also spoke positively about the performances of Beñat Gerenabarrena and Peio Canales, two of the young players who had a leading role in the opening matchday.
Terzic said he has a lot of talent and different options in midfield, something that increases internal competition within the squad.
Regarding Canales, he particularly highlighted his quality on the ball and his ability to operate in several positions. «He was very calm with the ball and we are going to try to make the most of his quality, because he can play anywhere», he explained.
He also pointed to one of the areas they are working on with him to enhance his role as a number 10: if he plays as a '10', he must increase his direct involvement in the team's goals.
Yuri's ban after admitting the CTA error
Yuri Berchiche3.650.000€+260.000€ ?
DFAnother of the standout issues was the sanction for Yuri Berchiche. The full-back will have to serve a one-match suspension for his sending off against Sevilla, despite the fact that the Technical Committee of Referees later acknowledged that the red card was a mistake.
Terzic admitted he was unhappy with what happened: «I was very unhappy with the decision and now I think it has been accepted that it was the wrong call».
The coach believes precisely that this kind of situation is what refereeing technology should help avoid. «For me, that's the reason we invented something like VAR, to avoid this kind of error», he said.
Even so, Terzic wanted to show respect for the officials and avoided feeding the controversy further. The coach recalled how difficult it is to make decisions on the pitch and hopes what happened will help improve things going forward: «We hope everyone learns from this situation and that this doesn't happen again».
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