Athletic Bilbao vs Hercules preview - Trezeguet: We must improve

Posted Monday, January 24, 2011 by PA

Hercules striker David Trezeguet knows his side need to improve greatly on their poor away form as they look to stay clear of relegation trouble in the second half of the Primera Division season.

The promoted outfit make the trip to Athletic Bilbao having earned 22 points from their opening 19 matches.

However, most of Hercules' success this season has come at home. On their travels they have picked up a meagre six points and just three goals from 10 games - with their only victory being that famous 2-0 triumph over Barcelona in their opening away match.

Trezeguet, whose side's last away goal in La Liga came 592 minutes ago, said: "We have had a good season, although we must improve a lot away from home."

It may get worse before it gets better for Esteban Vigo's men, though, as they now face successive away trips to some of the toughest venues in Spain - Athletic, Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Madrid.

Summer signing Trezeguet, who is Hercules' leading scorer this season with nine goals - all at home, added: "Now we have some crucial games, starting in Bilbao. It will be difficult, but for a recently-promoted team they are matches that you can learn a lot from.

"For me it's a special game - because I've never played at San Mames and my team-mates have told me all about the atmosphere that there is there.

"We are going there to get a positive result."

Athletic, who have won seven of their 10 league games at home this season, climbed up to eighth with their 2-1 victory over Racing Santander last Saturday.

The Basque side were just one point behind sixth-placed Atletico Madrid and the European spots heading into the 20th round of fixtures.