San Jose promises Lyon fight

Mikel San Jose has reflected on Athletic Bilbao’s ‘final’ against Lyon this week, as well as his own attempts to rediscover form.

After a difficult start to the season, Athletic manage to go into their must-win European tie with the French this Thursday off the back of a win, having picked up the points away to Granada.

“We played well in Valencia and Lyon and lost, whilst against Granada it was our worst game and we came away with the win,” reflected San Jose today to AS.

“We needed to score the points, though, and against Granada that was achieved. Against Lyon, we are playing in a great final, we will win.

“Much has been analysed but we have not played too differently to last year. Opponents know us better, we expected the backlash and it is why we have many players contributing in attack.

“We have to keep the ball if we lose it, not suffer so much. We need to do more.”

San Jose has been one of the players criticised for an unexplained loss in form this season.

“Yes, I have gone from being great to being poor, but not for me or my teammates, but in the eyes of the fans and critics.

“My first two years here were pretty good, but since the end of the second I have had a back injury. Last year I also made mistakes in two games against Valencia at home and at the Calderon. After those errors I lost confidence.

“This year, things have not started well for anyone. In football you can go from being God to nobody. The Coach gives me faith every day, he does not let anyone lose faith.”

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