Iker Muniain believes Athletic Bilbao’s recent stellar performances against Manchester United have inspired their opponents in the Primera Division to play better against them in recent weeks.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men beat the English champions in both legs of their Europa League last 16 tie but have suffered defeats to Osasuna and Valencia in their last two league games and Muniain thinks those results have had more to do with the performances of the opposition than tiredness on his side’s part.
He said: “After beating one of the biggest teams in Europe both Osasuna and Valencia have had more desire to beat us than normal. These two defeats haven’t been down to tiredness because you can see we run like dogs.”
The Spain international is though still confident that Athletic can compete for a place in the Champions League
as Los Leones take on Atletico Madrid tonight.
He added: “The game against Atletico is hugely important as we are playing against a rival and hopefully we can achieve a valuable result. If we can win on Wednesday and then on Sunday against Sporting (Gijon) we will be back in the fight for the Champions League.”
Until recently both appeared certain challengers for fourth place and its Champions League spot for next year.
A heavy fixture list including current Europa League commitments have taken their toll however. Athletic have lost their last two league games, while Atlético have just one win in five domestic matches.
Injuries further complicate matters tonight with Athletic’s Fernando Llorente definitely missing, while hopes that Atlético playmaker Diego would return to boost his side have also been dashed.
Third-placed Valencia have less concerns as they follow Sunday’s 3-0 win in Bilbao, with a home banker against bottom side Real Zaragoza.
With Tino Costa suspended and Mehmet Topal injured, Los Che coach Unai Emery should go with veteran David Albelda and youngster Dani Parejo in midfield. Zaragoza’s Portuguese internationals Rúben Micael and Hélder Postiga are both suspended so coach Manolo Jimenéz may give teenager Jorge Ortí an opportunity up front.
Fourth-placed Levante travel to Real Sociedad looking to continue their current renaissance, with ex-Liverpool man Nabil El Zhar in line to replace suspended winger Valdo.
Antoine Griezmann is unavailable after picking up a fifth yellow card, so Xabi Prieto gets a chance.
Sporting coach Javier Clemente is happy to have attacker Miguel de las Cuevas back from injury as his struggling side look for a badly needed three points at home to Real Mallorca.
The visitors’ boss Joaquín Caparros has his own selection issues with quartet Chori Castro, Michael Pereira, Iván Ramis and Sergio Tejera all unavailable.
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