Athletic Bilbao vs Granada CF preview - Long way to go for high-flying Athletic - De Marcos

Posted Sunday, November 27, 2011 by PA

Athletic Bilbao forward Oscar de Marcos has played down talk of a top-four finish for the in-form Basque side this season, pointing out there is still much of the campaign left.

Athletic have overcome a disappointing start under new coach Marcelo Bielsa and are now boasting an impressive 11-match unbeaten run domestically and in the Europa League, during which time they have recorded victories over the likes of Paris St Germain, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.

That form has seen Athletic secure themselves a berth in the last 32 of the Europa League with two group games to spare, while in the Primera Division they have climbed up to eighth spot, six points behind free-falling Levante and the fourth Champions League berth.

With the likes of Sevilla, Atletico and Villarreal struggling for consistency, Athletic could have a shot at finishing in the top four for the first time in over a decade if they continue their forward progress, but De Marcos is taking it step by step.

"I think it's too soon to talk about these things. We've had 12 weeks of the season and there's a long long way to go. We're on a good run but there could be a rocky patch, you never know," he said in Marca.

"While things are going well people usually talk about these things, but you never know."

He added about his side's form: "Things are working well, especially since we started this unbeaten run. Personally I'm playing almost all the time and I feel very good."

Athletic will be expected to continue their good form on Sunday when they play host to struggling Granada.

The Primera Division newcomers, playing in the top flight for the first time in 35 years, have picked up just two wins and nine points from their opening 11 games, leaving them stuck in the bottom three.

Granada might have been celebrating a third win last weekend but, after turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead at home to Real Mallorca, the match was abandoned just after the hour mark after a linesman was struck in the face by an umbrella that came from the crowd.

That remainder of that match will now be played on December 7 behind closed doors at Granada's Los Carmenes stadium.

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