Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Montanier gearing up for derby clash - 7M sport

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao preview - Montanier gearing up for derby clash



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Posted Sunday, October 02, 2011 by PA

Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier cannot wait for his first taste of a Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao.

The Frenchman took charge of the San Sebastian club in the summer and has made a steady start to the Primera Division season, with seven points from five game.

But Montanier expects the passion of this weekend to be different to anything he has seen in his short time in Spanish football.

"It is going to be a great experience to take part in a Basque derby," he said. "I'm impatient and desperate for Sunday to arrive.

"I was involved in derbies during my time in France but I have the feeling they were more aggressive than here."

Athletic have suffered a poor start to their domestic campaign with only two points from their first five league games under Marcelo Bielsa but Montanier maintains a huge amount of respect for the Argentinian.

"Bielsa is a fantastic coach and he is very popular in France, it will be great to meet him," said Montanier. "Every coach has their own methodology and that is good for football.

"It is possible to play football in different ways and it is always interesting to see the work of such a great coach."

Montanier has a fully fit squad to choose from but is likely to drop Carlos Vela from the side that lost at Mallorca last weekend in favour of Mikel Aranburu.

Athletic's form in the Primera Division has been in stark contrast to their start to the Europa League where they got their second victory in two games against Paris St Germain on Thursday night.

It was thanks to Fernando Llorente's goals that Athletic got into Europe last season but despite only finding the net once so far this term the Spain international is convinced a return to form is not far away.

"I am very happy with how I'm playing and I think the only thing I'm missing is a goal," he said.

"For sure I am not getting on the end of things just now, but I am doing other important work for the team.

"I believe in myself and I am convinced the goals will arrive soon."

The visitors will be without the suspended Borja Ekiza and the still injured Ander Herrera but Iker Muniain has recovered from a knock he suffered against PSG and will be fit to play.



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