Diego Simeone has warned Atletico Madrid they aren’t through to the Copa’s next stage despite their 1-0 win over Athletic.
Diego Godin’s header gave Atleti the narrow victory in the first-leg at Vicente Calderon but Athletic had chances to score, most notably through Ander Herrera.
Herrera shot high and wide in the 11th minute and the visitors profligacy was punished before half-time.
Godin met a Koke cross to open the scoring and give Atleti a slender advantage ahead of the return leg at San Mames.
“In the first-half we had chances to score and so did they, with Herrera,” Simeone told a post-match Press conference.
“During the second-half with our 1-0 lead it became a classic Cup tie. Both teams were playing to win.
“But it’s important in a knockout competition to come away from the first game with the lead.”
Simeone added that the trip to Bilbao will be tricky given the standard of the opposition.
“The return game will be similar.
“We will prepare for a tough game in the best way possible.
“It’s going to be hard, in a beautiful atmosphere for football.
“Bilbao are in good form, fourth in the League and difficult to beat. The game is only at half-time.”
