Carrión Exudes Confidence Ahead of Athletic Club Match

Regardless of the league table indicating that Oviedo enters this weekend’s match at the bottom, nothing seems to dampen the optimism of coach Luis Carrión. He envisions a perfect game where his team dominates and creates numerous opportunities, although he acknowledges that unexpected events can occur. “I have a clear image of the perfect match in my mind, where we take control and generate chances. However, outcomes can be unpredictable. I have a great admiration for Athletic’s midfield; they press forward relentlessly and always look to play. We aim to challenge them and make things difficult,” he stated.

To maintain this hopeful outlook, the Catalan coach seeks to stabilize the team’s dynamics: “I will distinguish between the league and the cup, as the Ourense match was less than ideal. I believe our league performance is progressing positively, though we still need to secure three points. The match against Osasuna was more consistent; we started strong and finished strong. We want to replicate that against Athletic.”

There is ongoing discussion about the formation that should be implemented, and Carrión analyzed some of the potential options: “I see the team as capable of playing in a 4-4-2 formation, but considering our wide players—who excel in one-on-one situations but are less cohesive in the center—it becomes challenging to control the game this way. I believe we can effectively exploit space in central and intermediate areas.”

One player who has risen in prominence in recent weeks is Fede Viñas, who is adapting to a new position. Carrión has not held back in his praise: “He is fantastic—an incredibly competitive player with many excellent actions both outside and inside the box. I am confident he will score many goals.” The coach expressed no concern over the forward’s recent lack of goals: “His inability to score against Osasuna does not worry me. What matters is that, unlike previous matches where we struggled to create chances, we had significant opportunities against Girona and Osasuna. Fede plays a crucial role in that improvement.”

Carrión also commended Ernesto Valverde’s team, but he conveyed a message of confidence: “They are a strong squad with an excellent coach and depth in their roster. Although they have some injuries, they are well-equipped to achieve great things. Nevertheless, we feel ready to challenge them and aim for victory.”