‘Monday will be historical, but…’

Aritz Aduriz has reflected that whilst Athletic Bilbao’s first game in their new San Mames stadium will carry significance, focus must only be on beating Celta Vigo.

The Basque Country outfit officially begin life in their new San Mames this Monday evening at home to the Galicians, after last season bringing to a close 100 years in the old San Mames ground just next door.

For the team’s leading striker, the new ground has already left a strong impression.

“We have had a very, very good impression. It is a five-star stadium, it has all the amenities that you would expect,” reflected Aduriz on conversation with Mundo Deportivo.

“And most importantly, something that we were all a little concerned about, has been that the essence of San Mames has been transferred to the new stadium. In that sense, there is no problem.

“It is going to be wonderful. We’ll have to go through a year of transition without the one stand open, but from there it will be a blast.

“The inauguration, the party, it is all very emotional, historical, but this is also a League game and we have to win.

“Of course it is very important that everything goes well, that people are happy with what they see, but in the end what matters is that we beat Celta.

“We have to do that through our work, we have just begun the League and we must focus on ourselves, which is to win the games coming up.

“Monday is one more in the League and whilst it has a special meaning, it should still serve for us to win the three points.”

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