Unai Simón: “The derby is not just another one, but neither is it the game of our lives”

Lezama (Vizcaya), Jan 10 (EFE).- Unai Simón, Athletic goalkeeper, admits that this Saturday’s derby against Real Sociedad in San Mamés “is not just another match” due to the rivalry that these clashes have. , but he also does not believe that “it will be the game of our lives nor the most important of the season.”

“We cannot say that it is just another match. It is a match with history and rivalry, but neither is it the match of our lives or the most important of the season,” the international goalkeeper, for whom the match Above all, “it is a wonderful opportunity to open a gap with the teams that follow us, which is now Real.”

In that sense, Simón noticed the opportunity of Athletic, fourth in the table due to a better goal differential than Atlético de Madrid, to extend the advantage over the San Sebastian team to nine points, which is sixth, in which it will be the first second round clash.

Simón, however, noted the difficulty of beating a rival that “has great players and a great coach” and that in recent years, since he arrived in the First Division, “they have always been better than us or have been in front”.

Despite this, and the 3-0 in the first round at the Reale Arena, they do not want to take the derby with the spirit of revenge. “I don’t feel identified in that way playing soccer, with the spirit of revenge. Having resentment often clouds you,” he warned.

In this regard, he stressed the importance of following “the game plan” set by Ernesto Valverde. “We have an idea of ​​what we want to do, of Ernesto’s plan, but those things are not said here, lest Imanol (Alguacil, Real coach) hear them,” he commented.

What Simón does admit is the good moment of his team, which has four consecutive victories, twelve games without losing, is still alive in the Copa del Rey and has risen to the Champions League positions. Which in Bilbao “has unleashed a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of euphoria”, in his opinion.

For the Alava goalkeeper, these good results and also “good feelings” they have are due to the fact that they are being “effective in both areas.” “But we are neither so good now nor so bad before,” he said, trying to stop the euphoria and remembering that “there is still a lot” ahead of us this season.

Returning to the derby, he had words of encouragement for the one who will be his rival at the opposite goal on Saturday, Unai Marrero, with little experience in the First Division and starting due to the suspension of Alex Remiro. “He is prepared to play in the First Division,” summed up the Gipuzkoan goalkeeper’s words.

Unai Simón, on the other hand, reiterated his intention to continue with Athletic at the end of his current contract in 2025, but announced that “it is not something that is urgent” and that there are “other players who have priority” because they finish this year 2024.

“Athletic knows that I want to stay, I know that Athletic wants me to stay and we will reach a quick decision,” he said, somewhat tired of the continuous questions about his future. EFE

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