Goals from Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain guarantee Athletic Bilbao victory against Mallorca in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal…
The Argentine manager, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Biesla, welcomed the end result after a solid and compact performance from Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Mallorca.
Bielsa seemed satisfied with his team’s overall performance and praised them in his post-match conference.
“I saw the team solid, compact and safe".
"In the second half we defended well and attacked the first well,” the Argentine coach remarked.
However, the tactician refused to rule out the second leg of the competition and stated that they cannot relax on their laurels. He reflected that it will be a new game and they have everything to play for at the Iberostar Stadium.
"We should understand that it will be new game and we should play it regardless."
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Athletic-Club-c38535 has given a solid defensive return in recent matches. The Bilbao based club has yet to concede in the last six matches, and the manager attributed the team’s collective performances for this result.
"It is the contribution of everyone for recovery of the ball that has made it more effective," he stated.
The South American was particularly happy with the performance of teenage sensation, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Muniain-c16816, one of the main protagonists for the Lions. Bielsa appreciated how Muniain has improved as a player since the start of the campaign and lauded him for his
goal.
Athletic Club’s fans would have been happy to see http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gaizka-Toquero-c14388. Bielsa liked what he saw in the final minutes of the game and highlighted the affect of Toquero in the squad.
He reflected that Toquero’s versatility should bring the best out of Llorente, given the fact that he can play behind the big striker, as well as on his right.
As he concluded the post-match conference, Bielsa also explained the absence of Andoni Iraola from the match-day squad. He stated that Iraola suffered from flu before the start of the match and hence, could not be called up due to weakness.
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