Real Sociedad duo Antoine Griezmann and Xabi Prieto have started the countdown to Sturday’s Basque derby with Athletic Bilbao.
La Real play host for the 131st meeting between the two teams in all competitions and go into the match a point and two places ahead of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Griezmann may be counting down the days, but stressed today that he and his teammates are only focusing on themselves.
“We know it will be a difficult clash because they have good players, but we must focus on ourselves and not think about whether they will be in form or not,” the Frenchman declared.
“Athletic are not keeping me awake.”
This latter point was picked up by teammate Prieto, who tried to acknowledge that the game needs to be treated like any other even if it doesn’t feel like it.
“It would be a mistake to think differently and to then not play better than the opponent,” warned Prieto.
“On Saturday there are only three points at stake, but the derby is a different game and we look forward to winning against Athletic.”
