MADRID, 8 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Athletic Club coach, Ernesto Valverde, commented this Thursday that the cup duel against Atlético de Madrid was “a final” and that “it was noticeable in every action and in every duel”, but that “the tie is absolutely open” against a team of the “potential” of its rival.
“We both had a lot at stake. It was a final and it was noticeable in every action and every duel, and in the second leg it will be similar. But the tie is absolutely open because they have won in San Mamés many times and a goal advantage, and with a team of Atlético’s potential, everything is completely open,” said the Athletic coach in a press conference after beating Atlético (0-1) in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Cívitas Metropolitano.
Valverde commented that in the first half his team was “well surrounding the area” and that “the goal came” in those moments. “The second one was difficult for us to settle on and it was essential that we didn’t lose sight of his goal. So, I think we had a chance to score the second goal, as well as them to tie,” he said.
Athletic defeated the colchoneros in their fiefdom despite the great atmosphere at the Metropolitano, where the locals had not fallen since January 8, 2023, something that for the Extremaduran coach is “a great experience” and that is “important” for the young people on their staff “grow and learn” the tension of this type of commitment.
Regarding the second leg, Valverde expects “a great atmosphere” in San Mamés like the one experienced this Wednesday, but “in favor.” “There will be tension because everything is yet to be decided, but it is about dominating, playing with head and heart, and being a definitive match we will both go for everything,” he added.
“Statistics are good to talk about, but they are part of the past. We have passed the Cup matches and we have not lost. Now we have to follow the script,” he added about the ‘lions’ KO streak in the competition. , where they have not lost at home since 2019 in the round of 16 against Sevilla FC (1-3).
Finally, the rojiblanco coach highlighted the great game of Julen Agirrezabala and his personality. “He is a very young player, but he has a great package. In the first half there was a play that could have affected him but he was sober. We have two great goalkeepers,” he concluded.
2024-02-07 23:31:59
#tie #absolutely #open
