Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad - Revenge not on the agenda for Aduriz and Athletic
Posted Saturday, October 15, 2016 by PA
Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz admits there are plenty of reasons for wanting to beat arch-rivals Real Sociedad on Sunday - but insists revenge is not one of them.
Sociedad have enjoyed much the better of recent encounters between the two Basque sides, winning four of eight meetings since Athletic last tasted derby success back in 2012.
That means San Sebastian-born Aduriz has yet to beat his hometown club since returning to Athletic for a third spell four years ago, but the Spain international assures Los Leones are not dwelling on what has gone before in this fixture.
Instead, Aduriz says seventh-placed Athletic are gunning for victory because of what it will do for confidence ahead of a tricky run of fixtures and for their league position, not to mention what it will mean for the club's fans.
"This isn't about revenge. We want to win the three points. We will try to compete the same as always. We want to compete throughout the year, not in just one specific game," he said in AS.
"We haven't analysed (recent matches against Sociedad) in great detail. We always try to win the derbies and in recent years we haven't done well enough."
Athletic saw a four-match winning streak in La Liga ended by an agonising 2-1 defeat to Malaga just before the international break but they are still just three points off top spot heading into a tough week that sees them face Sociedad and Real Madrid in LaLiga, either side of a Europa League clash with Genk.
The 35-year-old Aduriz, who put Athletic ahead against Malaga only to see the Andalusian side net twice in the last eight minutes, said: "The three points would be very nice. Winning always gives you confidence and boosts morale. We know that there's an important block of games coming up.
"We're also not far from the teams at the top of table."
Sociedad make the trip to San Mames lying two points and two places adrift of their neighbours.
They beat Betis in their previous league outing but have lost their last two away matches while also finishing both games with 10 men.
One of those players to be dismissed, defender Aritz Elustondo, is hoping he can win a place back in Eusebio Sacristan's starting line-up for the derby.
He said: "If I have the opportunity I'd love to play, but if not I will help the team from outside.
"It's a special game, it's a derby and they are nice to play in. I played in both last year and it was something incredible."
Eusebio added of the match: "We're really looking forward to it and motivated to have a good game.
"We know what this derby means to our fans and we want to make them proud of this team. We're determined to give them something to smile about."
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