Canales backs Racing despite surrendering top spot after two months
Athletic loanee Peio Canales remains positive about Racing Santander's performance against Eibar despite losing their leadership position in Segunda División.
Despite falling to defeat against Eibar and surrendering top spot after two months, Peio Canales believes Racing Santander produced one of their best first-half performances of the season.
Performance analysis
The Athletic Club loanee was keen to highlight the positives from what he felt was a strong overall showing, even though the result didn’t go their way. Racing controlled the opening 45 minutes brilliantly before dropping deeper after the break.
“We played one of our best first halves of the season,” Canales noted, reflecting on how two decisive moments ultimately cost his side despite what he felt was a deserving performance.
The attacking midfielder was pleased with his personal contribution at Ipurua, feeling more involved than in previous outings - both when dropping deep to receive the ball and when operating in more advanced positions.
No pressure, just motivation
Canales dismissed any suggestion that losing top spot might affect the team’s mentality. The midfielder believes the squad has “sufficient quality” to bounce back quickly and reclaim their position at the summit of Spain’s second tier.
Rather than viewing second place as a burden, the Basque playmaker sees it as extra motivation to maintain their promotion push:
- Racing’s focus remains on improving weaker aspects of their game
- The team will continue working on their established strengths
- Slipping to second hasn’t dampened their ambitions
Looking ahead to Burgos
Attention now turns to Racing’s upcoming fixture against Burgos, which Canales acknowledges will be a proper Bobby Dazzler (difficult test). However, he expects home advantage to play its part as they aim to control proceedings both defensively and offensively.
The match carries additional significance as it coincides with Racing Santander’s 113th anniversary celebrations. Despite this special occasion, Canales doesn’t anticipate any change in the atmosphere at El Sardinero, noting that the supporters are consistently brilliant regardless.
The number 18 is clearly maturing during his loan spell, embracing the responsibility he’s been given since day one and feeling “very involved” in the project as Racing push for promotion to La Liga.