Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose says the club are still looking to finish in seventh spot despite their recent run of bad form.
The Basques have slipped to ninth after taking just one point in the last three games against Sevilla, Valencia and Espanyol, but San Jose insists a European place is still within their grasp.
“We expected more from the last few games, although we knew they were against three very strong opponents, but we wanted more points to get closer to Malaga [in seventh],”the 25-year-old told reporters.
“The worse thing is that we are still six points behind, as we were 10 days ago, but there are now three games less.
“It has also opened up for other teams such as Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano.”
However, he says that Los Leones will be going all out to take three points from every game right up until they face Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey on May 30.
“We’ll be going to Barca to win and the best way to do that is to keep competing every week like we are playing for something important. We have to go there in good form and there will be no relaxation on our part before then.
“We’ve spoken about it in the dressing room although it’s not an issue we discuss too much,” he admitted.
