Despite the 0-1 and the fact that the semifinal will be decided in San Mamés, Valverde wants to be careful before playing the second leg on February 29. “The tie is completely open. It’s true that we beat them in the League in San Mamés , but we also lost. The difference of one goal is not significant. “It remains open for either team,” said the Athletic coach in the Metropolitano press room.
The match had a lot of tension, something Gasteiztarran expected. “I expect a tense match. Both teams did not play well, this is an opportunity to go to a final. I expect this game. The second match will be similar. In the first half, we were good, reached the area they, that’s the result and the goal. The second they pushed, it’s very important that we don’t forget their goal so they see that we can create a danger for them. In the end we had to do a good defensive job,” he added.
Hernández Hernández was awarded a penalty by Reinildo in Beñat Prados. The Colchonero defender saw only one yellow card. Valverde believes he should have been sent off: “We look at everything in our favor. He went in first with two feet and could have been red. “The referee will be clear.”
His team played a good first half, but he believes there is better. “There’s a lot of tension, you can tell. We’re growing in the game, but we’ve dominated the other game. It’s very difficult to win here with your audience pushing. They’re going to put us behind. It’s only the first part of a double match. We have something left. San Mamés. “We suffer a lot there to pass,” he said.
Support in Bilbao will be on big nights. “There will be an atmosphere like here today that is in our favor. Everything has to be decided, it’s about dominance and playing with our head and heart and making the most of our possibilities. “Both teams are going for everything,” he said.
Athletic have only missed one defeat and two draws from San Mamés this season. “The statistics are very good, but they belong to the past. Atlético didn’t lose here and now they lost. We haven’t lost at home in the Cup but that means nothing. Let’s see what comes out on the 29th ,” he says.
The player from Gasteiz asked for personality from his players in the preview and yesterday they had to play in a very complicated field: “We were good, especially the first half. At other times we have sunk so low. This is another experience for children, so that players can grow. There are things we have done well and others we need to improve”
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
