The Schalke manager has conceded Schalke’s chances of reaching the last four in the UEFA Europa League after losing to Athletic Bilbao in their first-leg of the quarter-final.
Schalke manager, Huub Stevens, has expressed his disappointment after losing to Athletic Bilbao in their first-leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final. The two teams locked heads on Thursday, March 29, at the Veltins-Arena
with the La Liga outfit winning 4-2.
As a result of this defeat, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues would now need to score at least three away goals in order to progress further in the competition. However, their manager has already conceded a place in the last-four as he believes
that scoring three goals at San Mames is technically impossible for his side.
While talking to official club website, Stevens further added: "I don't believe in that. If I don't have all of my players at 100 per cent, then it is tough to survive against such a good team like this."
The tactician insisted that his players lacked organisation and determination especially after going 2-1 up in the 59th minute. He thought that his team needed to stay firm to stop the Spanish outfit from scoring in
order to have any chance of going into the last-four.
Three goals in the last 17 minutes changed the complexion of the game as Schalke slipped badly at home. The Gelsenkirchen outfit are now left with a glimmer of hope of making it to the semis but it would require a herculean effort
to upstage Bilbao in the second-leg.
"We were lucky to equalise straight after going 1-0 down and then to go 2-1 ahead, but then we had to be clever, but we weren't. When we went 2-1 up, we should have been happy with that and kept our organisation, but we did not
do that and Bilbao countered us,” Stevens added.
On the other hand, the tactician also commented on Timo Hildebrand’s injury. He stated that the shot stopper was unlucky to receive a blow in the first-half but Schalke did not lose because of Timo’s absence. He specified that
the team lost their focus towards the end and as a result were embarrassed in front of the home fans.
"I don't think Timo's injury was decisive in that we have had so much bad luck with our goalkeepers all season,” the boss concluded.
The Royal Blues will next be in action against Hoffenheim on Sunday, April 1, before the return leg on Thursday, April 5.
Tags: