Julio Salinas: "It doesn't suit Barcelona to mess around with the starting XI"

Julio Salinas (Bilbao, 11/09/1962) took some time out with LFP.es to look back over his career with Athletic Club and FC Barcelona on the week the two sides meet for matchday 22 of the Liga BBVA. The retired player, who won two league titles and a Copa del Rey with the Basques as well as four La Liga titles, a Champions League and another Copa del Rey with the Catalans, also talked about both clubs’ current fortunes.

LFP.es: Tell us a bit about your time with Athletic between 1982 and 1986. How would you describe that team?
J. Salinas: In my opinion we were the best team during that period. I don’t think we were given enough credit because we were up against very strong sides, like a Barca side that included Diego Armando Maradona and Bernd Schuster.

LFP.es: Following that you had a spell at Atlético de Madrid before making the move to Barcelona. What was the main difference between Athletic and the Catalan club?
J. Salinas: Everything was more familiar to me at Athletic. What struck me most in Barcelona was the amount of press attention there was, the amount of media coverage… There was a lot more demanded of us.

LFP.es: Of all the titles you won with Athletic and Barcelona, which one holds the fondest memories for you?
J. Salinas: That's a hard one to answer because they were all important for me. But the first La Liga title with Athletic was special, as we were dependent on Madrid losing to Valencia. I remember there being a million people celebrating on the streets of Bilbao, it was a very emotional experience. But I think I'd have to choose the UEFA Champions League title I won with Barca, because I actually started that final.

LFP.es: Looking at the current Athletic team, do you think Valverde’s players can push on following their last few results?
J. Salinas: I'm always optimistic. I’m happy that Athletic are still in three competitions, but we are still doing poorly in the Liga BBVA and need to improve. Above all else we have to stop depending so heavily on Aduriz.

LFP.es: It appears that Valverde is lacking a player of Ander Herrera’s calibre. Do you think they are lacking that style of player?
J. Salinas: Ander was important, but the team also misses Fernando Llorente, Javi Martínez… The problem lies in the fact that the current crop of players are not in their best form at the moment. Mikel Rico, Iturraspe and Muniain have all experienced significant drop offs in their form.

LFP.es: As for Barcelona, after their bad run of form, it looks like they have now turned the corner and are firing on all cylinders in terms of how their playing and their results. What are your thoughts?
J. Salinas: They're at their best. I think the team changed things up after the defeat in Anoeta. I don’t know if they’ve solved or merely shelved their problems, but what is clear is that everyone is doing their bit and on top of that, they’re gaining more confidence, which is hugely important.

LFP.es: Barca have scored 16 goals in their last four Liga BBVA games, how has Luis Enrique's system changed?
J. Salinas: I believe that consistency with the starting line-up has been really important. For example, the attacking trio has to be Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez. Of course you can make changes here and there, but changing six or seven players could have an adverse effect on the team.

LFP.es: With that in mind, how do you get a result against this Barca?
J. Salinas: First of all you have to pray that they have an off day at the office. Then you have other dilemmas to deal with, like whether or not to pressure them high up the pitch or defend in numbers. But I think Athletic need to be aggressive at home and make Barcelona uncomfortable.

LFP.es: Iturraspe will be sidelined this weekend, what can Valverde do to compensate for this?
J. Salinas: I love Mikel San José. He can play as a centre half as well as in a defensive midfield role, like he has been doing lately. That would be a good option for Ernesto Valverde.

LFP.es: What kind of a game do you expect to see?
J. Salinas: I think Athletic will come out aggressively, as they always do in San Mamés. Additionally, given that it's Barca they’ll be up for this game just as much as Valverde’s players are. I think Barcelona will try to control possession of the ball and stay true to their style, but I reckon it’ll be a fiercely contested contest.