Athletic Bilbao hotshot Aritz Aduriz believes his goals are worthless as long as the team is failing to get results.
The former Valencia forward claimed his eleventh La Liga goal on Saturday but it wasn’t enough to avert a 3-1 loss to Levante for Los Leones, who are now 14th and at risk of getting sucked into the relegation battle.
“My situation is the team’s situation and if the team is not doing well everything else is worthless,” said Aduriz after training at the Lezama complex this morning.
“Our thoughts should not go beyond the game against Rayo Vallecano on Friday. It is important, not an end, but a definitive match. It’s a matter of runs and I’m convinced we will change because we have many players with the ability to score goals. My challenge is to help in whatever way I can, whether that’s goals or more participation for the team.”
The 31-year-old expressed sympathy for young colleague Aymeric Laporte, whose sending off turned Saturday’s game in Levante’s favour.
“Of course he’ll be annoyed, but he is not responsible for the defeat. The important thing is he can recover, because he’s a great player. It can happen to anyone.”
Aduriz did however concede that his return to San Mames had been something of an anti-climax, given the spectacular football he saw Marcelo Bielsa’ side play last season.
“Whenever you come to a new team you hope to excel and improve. Watching Athletic last year I was fascinated, I saw some wonderful football and hoped to continue that way. But the reality is different.”
