The Schalke manager has insisted that his side is still capable of making a comeback in the UEFA Europa League against Athletic Bilbao.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao in the first-leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final at Veltins-Arena. The team still has the second-leg to play for but the Spanish side has the advantage
of scoring four vital away goals.
Stevens claims that his side has an outside chance of qualifying for the next round but admitted that it is going to be very difficult. He insisted that miracles do happen in football and his team is certainly capable of pulling
one.
The manager added that the side will have to take a lot of risks if they want to progress to the next round and there can be a possibility. However, he admitted that his side cannot afford any slipups in the second-leg as another
goal from the home side would well and truly end the game.
“It isn't going to be easy in the position we find ourselves in but the players believe in a miracle and I know lots of incredible things have already happened in football. We have to take risks but we can't afford to let them
catch us at the back,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven tactician stressed that Bilbao will not go in defensive mode as they played some attacking football even against the likes of Barcelona in the league. He added that Schalke have the quality and is confident
that his side can try to turn things around.
“He'll respond with as much attacking verve as he did against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 in the La Liga. We also have quality up front and are capable of mounting pressure going forward but we can't allow Athletic to score, while we have to get
three,” he concluded.
Die Knappen will take on Athletic Bilbao in the second-leg of the UEFA Europa League at the San Mames on Thursday night. A draw for the home side would be enough to take them to the semi-final of the competition.
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