If It Falls on Our Side We'd Say It's Not a Foul

Iñaki Williams and debutant Gerenabarrena gave their verdicts on Athletic Club's season-opening defeat, with the captain lamenting a red card he believes was harsh and the newcomer relishing a long-awaited first-team bow. Williams, who made his 511th appearance for the Lions to move sixth in the club's all-time appearance list ahead of Iraola, said two quick strikes decided the game. "In two strokes they sentenced us, he lamented after the loss.

The captain, who started alongside Gerenabarrena in coach Terzic's lineup, discussed the sending-off and the opening goal. "The red card, seen coldly, can be a foul, but never a red. The control went away from the forward and it means it's not a clear goalscoring opportunity.

And the goal? If it falls on our side we'd say it's not a foul. For me the goal is fine, but I say the red card is not, he commented.

Williams praised his teammates despite the numerical disadvantage. "The midfield, who had never played together, was spectacular. Jesús (Areso), apart from that small error, played a good game and Berenguer was everywhere on the pitch, he added.

The elder Williams brother noted that "being down to ten men made it much more complicated. When you're working on a new idea of play and a new system and in the first 10 minutes you have to change... But I think good connections were seen and the debut of great talents. We have to look forward because we want to start adding three points.

Last season was bad because we didn't meet expectations and in many moments it led to frustration. Now we are full of hope and motivation. We lost, but the ghosts have not appeared.

It was only an accident that hopefully won't repeat and at the end of May we can be celebrating. Gerenabarrena, who made his Athletic and Primera División debut after a loan spell at Castellón last season, received praise from Williams for his performance. "I had been dreaming of this moment for so many years that when I lived it it was as if it had already happened.

I wanted to enjoy it, these are things that only come once. The boss asked me to be myself, which is basically what brought me here, he stressed. The Lekeitio-born player linked up with Peio Canales and Sancet, who "are players of enormous talent and that makes it easier to get along on the pitch.

We've known each other all our lives and we share the same values. That makes everything easier. Hard work has its reward, but we have to keep fighting to be better every day.