Peru Olazabal
Sestao River
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 09:19
Mikel Montero is one of the great sensations of Sestao River this season. The 21-year-old central defender came to the Sestaota team this past summer because of his black-green heart. Since he was little he went to Las Llanas and was also in the club’s youth ranks. Now he has become one of the great architects of being the team with the least goals scored in the group. He has played everything, without missing a single minute. Tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. he will face the Basconia team in which he played two seasons ago, which is directed by Bittor Llopis, his “football coach.”
– How do you value the six years you spent in the Athletic youth team?
– The first call from Athletic is always very nice, doing tests, and playing for Athletic… It is a very nice stage in which I have developed as a person and player. That step has made me where I am today.
– Is there a lot of change from moving from the youth team to Basconia?
– Yes, we used to say that it was moving from the learning stage to the performance stage. There you come up against players much older than you. So, you learn a lot. In youth you are very superior and in Basconia you get a reality check.
– And what stands out about this Basconia?
– They are very technically gifted players and physically they will be like airplanes. We can help them because of experience and knowing how to handle games better. I imagine a very close match, even though there is a point difference in the table.
– How do you expect your reunion with Bittor Llopis?
– I was with him for two years. He is my soccer great and that’s why I always wish him the best, although this weekend I want him to lose.
–After three consecutive draws, how much importance do you give to this derby?
–Going to Christmas with a victory is very important. Going into the break with good feelings boosts your morale. We need to find victory again to stay up. If we want to aspire to be first, we have to add three at a time and leave ourselves very few points along the way.
– He already played in the lower categories of Sestao River. Was it a special place for you?
– Yes, Sestao River is the first team I was in. In addition, I came to the countryside with my grandmother when I was little. So, since I was little I had the dream of playing in Las Llanas. The fact of achieving it, for me and my family, is very nice. Part of my family is from Sestao River and my friends have been members since they were little. Coming here to play and having my lifelong friends already members and come see me is something beautiful.
Very high potential
– Along with Markel Etxeberria, he is the only outfield player who has played every possible minute. What does this tell you?
– He tells me that the coach trusts me, that I am doing things well. There is always room for improvement and I have to improve in many aspects, but I think I am giving the level and that physically I am holding up well in the games. I want to continue in that line.
– Given the potential you see, where do you think your ceiling is?
– I have never stopped to think about what my ceiling is. I have talked about it with some teammates and they believe that I have the potential to play in higher categories. I have my feet on the ground, I work day by day. Obviously, I want to reach the top.
