Zarraga: “We just need to focus on Sassuolo” | OneFootball

The Basque spoke about the importance of winning the next game

Oier Zarraga took some time out from his busy schedule to speak on Udinese Tonight on TV 12 on Monday evening about the importance of the upcoming trip to Reggio Emilia to face Sassuolo.

“We’ll prepare for the game as of tomorrow. It’s such an important one for us. We want to win because it would help us work hard with a greater feeling of calmness. The friendly against Padova, which was useful for trying out several young players, is already behind us. We have to focus on Sassuolo.”

Born in the town of Getxo, the midfielder reflected on his debut for the Basque Country in a friendly against Uruguay on Saturday.

“We played in front of 35,000 people and it’s a team made up entirely of players from the region where I grew up. There’s a different feeling when you put on this jersey. We harbour so much love for our land and for football.”

That sense of belonging also affects players’ professional pathways as it “helps us get to know our team-mates better by doing this together and it creates a winning mentality. That’s the example set by Athletic Club, who are doing so well in LaLiga this year.”

The 25-year-old admitted that his attributes can be showcased best when he is near the ball and it was not by chance that he was selected in the mezzala position against Padova.

“I’m comfortable in that position and play further up the pitch than in the playmaker role. I always play with so much fire inside of me and sometimes I may go over the top. The Lazio game was so important and scoring the winner was such a happy moment for me.”

“I’m ready to play, whether it’s for ten, 20 or 30 minutes. Of course, I’d like to play in every game, but my mentality always pushes me to help the team at any point. I just want to help Udinese. I’m very calm off the pitch and can feel the love and support from the fans.

“I know it’s a hard time for the supporters to have belief in us, but we need everyone’s strength. Our aim is always to make the fans happy, as they’re so important to us. Football would be nothing without them.”