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Interviews

LUN 02.01.2017 | Interviews

Aduriz: "San Mames has been a fortress for us in LaLiga Santander"

In an exclusive interview with LaLiga, the Basque striker takes a look at the current state of affairs at Athletic Club, the expectations within the dressing room and his personal situation.

Interviews

LUN 02.01.2017

Aritz Aduriz (San Sebastian, 1981) has improved on his goalscoring tally in each of the last five campaigns, proving that each passing year has had a positive effect on his performances on the pitch. His return of 20 goals last season set a new personal record in LaLiga Santander which was also enough to make him the top scoring Spaniard in the division.

We kick off 2017 by speaking to the man himself to find out how he is finding his thirteenth season in Spain's premier competition and what he is expecting to accomplish in the new year.

Question: You ended the year in the best possible way with the late comeback against RC Celta…

Answer: We're happy with the result. It wasn't our best performance, but we came out of it with the three points. Winning without playing at your top level has its merits and we have to recognise that.

Q: You won that game 2-1 at San Mames and ended 2016 on a seven-game unbeaten home run. Is keeping up your impressive home form one of your priorities?

A: Yes, definitely. We've been very strong at home and have been performing at a very high level. San Mames has been a fortress for us in LaLiga Santander. There's room to improve away from home which is our goal in the new calendar year.

Q: 2016 was a year in which you got back on the scoresheet in the Basque derby. How was that moment for you?

A: Football changes from one day to the next and that game feels like a long time ago now. In this sport anything that has already happened isn't worth much and doesn't help in your present situation. I have to admit it was wonderful to beat Real Sociedad at San Mames, and it was special to score once again, but it was only three points and those games count just as much as the rest.

Q: You kicked off 2017 in seventh place, close to the European qualifying positions. Is the aim for this season to once again finish in the top six?

A: Yes, that is the target. We want to be consistent and carry on the trend from the last three years by qualifying for Europe via LaLiga Santander. Given Athletic's philosophy as a club, such an achievement would be even bigger and more remarkable. We want to continue to be a strong team, keep competing in Europe and enjoy that level of consistency that hasn't been easy to maintain if you look back in history.

Q: On a personal level you've been at the top of your game for quite a few years. You've been the club's top goalscorer in recent times and have improved on your goalscoring tally in each of the last five seasons. How would you explain your progress?

A: I don't have a magic formula, there are many factors that come together. I'm in good shape and am still able to handle the physical demands of the game. I guess my experience must be coming through… Of course, when you gain experience, you improve aspects of your game, given situations that you've already lived through are repeated and it's about making better decisions.

Q: Which qualities would you say you've improved each year?

A: I try to improve from everything I see every day and absorb absolutely everything. You gradually improve your ability to lose your marker and strike the ball on different surfaces. You also make better decisions which is certainly the most important area.

Q: What has Raul Garcia's arrival meant for you? Do you benefit from his style of play?

A: Raul has so many qualities and we all try to learn from how he plays. He's a player with a wealth of experience from his time in the best Atletico Madrid side that we've seen in years. He's a big influence in the dressing room and we're thrilled to have him.

Q: As is often the case at Athletic, we've seen a few youth prospects handed their debuts this season. What do you make of the players that are breaking through into the first team?

A: It's the way of life at Athletic. It's essential that those who come through the ranks can make positive contributions in the first team. Those that do are high-level players which is why they play regularly. They're bringing so much to the side and they'll be vital in the team's future.

Q: Under Ernesto Valverde's stewardship, you've reached a level of consistency since 2013 that has seen you achieve your goals. How would you describe him?

A: He's a calm and reflective person. There can be very difficult situations in football with extreme highs and lows, yet Ernesto manages to put them into the correct context. He's a very ordinary guy which I consider to be a positive attribute.

Q: FC Barcelona await in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday 5 January. It's a competition that the club has done well in historically, so how far can you go?

A: We're very excited about the Copa del Rey, just like the Europa League. We know that winning a trophy is very tough, but we're going to battle as a team and put in a good showing.

Q: Looking back, do you think your hat-trick against Barcelona in the first leg of the 2015 Spanish Super Cup was your best night as a footballer?

A: That was definitely my second-best night because number one was when we sealed the trophy in Barcelona. Although I scored three goals, that was only the first leg of the competition and despite having a 4-0 lead, we still had that seed of doubt over whether we'd be able to get through the return leg at the Camp Nou… They were certainly the two most meaningful nights of my career.

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