Martinez: Basque derby comes first

Midfielder Javi Martinez said Athletic Bilbao are taking it one game at a time.

The Spain international said his side are focused on their La Liga game against Real Sociedad on Sunday and not the upcoming Europa League clash with Manchester United.

The Basque outfit face their local rivals in an important derby before travelling to Old Trafford in midweek.

“Until Sunday and after the derby, there is neither Manchester nor other games. Then we’ll think about Old Trafford,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

Martinez was full of praise for a young, up-and-coming Sociedad team and feels that the San Mames side will be in for a tricky test on Sunday.

“They have a young side with good players in all positions, especially in attack; in a couple of years they will have a great team,” he said.

“We must continue the good run that we have been on to keep up the search for the European places.”

Martinez has been garnering rave reviews for his performances for club and country, and has been touted as a potential representative for Spain at Euro 2012 and the Olympics.

But, again, the 23-year-old is not allowing himself to be distracted from the tasks at hand.

“I must focus on Bilbao and when the time comes that I may be playing in the Olympics and Euro 2012, I will think about it then,” the midfielder said.