Athletic Bilbao vs Xerez
Athletic Bilbao
Xerez
vs
Sunday 7th February 2010
Venue: San Mames
Kick-off: 16:00
Score: 3 - 2
Resurgent Xerez eye Bilbao victory
Having given their chances of avoiding the drop a much-needed lifeline last weekend, Xerez will look to make it two wins on the bounce when they travel to Athletic Bilbao this weekend.
Xerez, in their first ever top flight campaign, looked destined for an immediate - and rapid - return to the Segunda Division after picking up just eight points from their opening 19 games, whilst scoring just eight goals in the process.
However, the Andalusian side recorded only their second victory of the season last Sunday with a 2-1 win over high-flying Real Mallorca, midfielder Carlos Calvo the hero with two second-half goals, including a 79th-minute winner.
Xerez are still seven points adrift of safety despite that win, but they at least now have gained some much-needed belief and optimism ahead of a testing run of matches that sees them face top-six sides Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna after this weekend's clash with Athletic.
Coach Nestor Gorosito said ahead of the trip to San Mames: "We need to take the game very seriously. We have high hopes of being able to win the game.
"We need to play as we did against Mallorca, taking control of the ball. The more possession we have, the much better chance of winning the game we will have."
Athletic are currently eighth in the standings and only six points off the Champions League places, but they have lost their last two matches against Depor and Espanyol.
Athletic have had an unkind fixture list, though, as four of their five games in January were away from home.
They took just one point from those four matches, but in their sole match at home they downed second-placed Real Madrid.
Gorosito continued: "We respect our opponents. We know how difficult it can be against them. We need to pressurise (Fernando) Llorente because he's their main man. It's going to be a very physical game.
"We need to go there with a winning attitude. It's 11 men against 11. The fans can put you under pressure but if we manage to get a goal, the atmosphere for them will be more difficult."
Xerez have boosted their squad during the January transfer window with the signings of Matias Alustiza and Nicolas Vigneri, although only the former has been included in Gorosito's squad for Sunday's match.
Francis, Emiliano Armenteros and David Prieto are also missing because of injuries, while Abel Gomez and Fabian Orellana have been omitted along with Vigneri.
Athletic coach Joaquin Caparros, meanwhile, has Carlos Gurpegi and Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora available after knocks, but Fran Yeste, Inaki Muniz and Aitor Ocio are out.
Defender Andoni Iraola said of Sunday's game: "We are coming from a series of games in which we haven't picked up too many points. Now we are playing at home and we have the obligation to win on Sunday."
The Spain international has dismissed suggestions it will be easy though, adding: "They've just won against Mallorca, who are higher in the table than us, and they will come here hoping to get another victory to close on the teams above them."
