Jon Uriarte and Mikel González assess Athletic’s season to date | OneFootball

Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte and director of football Mikel González addressed the media at San Mamés, acknowledging a delicate spell, defending the squad and insisting the immediate target remains 42 points.

Uriarte called it the toughest period of his tenure but said he is ready to continue and would rather criticism fell on him than the players. He respects supporters’ rights to protest but prefers backing, and, according to El Correo, will go game by game on Europe.

González said the men’s side must focus on the short term and accepted reliability has dipped. He backed staff including Luis Prieto and said Urko’s UEFA omission was due to centre-back needs and in the club’s interest. He warned missing Europe could bite, though viability is not at risk.

González said Sancet has had four injuries this season, the last three hamstrings, with external specialists helping. Nico Williams is managing pubalgia, playing below full capacity, and surgery has been ruled out after four consultations. Iñaki Williams and Aymeric Laporte have also missed time, plus three long-term knee injuries.

Loans are being tracked weekly but recalls were not pursued. They made no winter moves beyond Efe Korkut, scouted repeatedly in Germany, whose club wanted to renew him, with half his family from Euskal Herria.

Uriarte said Robert Navarro and Jesús Areso have shown positives with room to grow. The women’s team has improved after a poor start, and the club called for unity, noting a lighter schedule could help.

Source: El Correo