Real Madrid
Valencia
Delteco Gipuzkoa Basket
NEWS | 15/09/2018 | Javier García (Bilbao)
"We produced a greatly improved second-half performance and created chances", declared Kroos.“The game demanded that we keep the ball well, move Athletic around and probe for gaps in the defence. We found them, but we lacked a bit of quality in the final third and in front of goal. The competition in this squad is quite remarkable and with such a long season ahead we're going to need everyone to be available. We have to be ready and keep improving”.
Isco: “Athletic make life very hard for you and San Mamés is a tough place to come”.
My first headed goal was on my debut, five years ago now, and I've repeated the trick again here, although it's not one of my strengths. We've now got to turn our attentions to the Champions League, which is very much our competition and we want to get our campaign off to the best possible start".
Kroos: "Athletic apply a really high press"
"I enjoyed the position I played in today, I've played there in the past too. I get hold of the ball and try to get the team moving with my passing ability. San Mamés is a tough place to come to, as we've seen in previous seasons. Athletic apply a high press and are aggressive, but we managed to find a way to get beyond that first line of pressure. They've got players who're able to break quickly on the counter and can make things tough for you".
"We look to play the ball out from the back and we produced a greatly improved second-half performance, both with and without the ball, and we created chances. I think we gave possession away less frequently after the break and that's a good thing. We then improved and went in search of the three points. It's a good result at what is a difficult place to come. I still don't think we've produced a poor performance yet this season".
