Ernesto Valverde is hopeful that Athletic Bilbao’s run to the Copa del Rey semi-finals can inspire a much-needed resurgence in La Liga.
Los Leones have struggled in the League this season but reached the last four of the cup competition on Thursday thanks to Aritz Aduriz’s winner in the second leg of their quarter-final tie with Malaga.
“We’ve been hitting the crossbar in the League, something always happens and we’ve ended up not winning,” the Coach said after the match.
“Results like [Wednesday’s] and progressing to the [Copa del Rey] semi-finals always drives you on.
“We’ll see whether we now have that point of optimism needed to push us up the League table.
“I’m happy, especially for the fans, because it’s been a difficult year in the League. The joy of these [occasions] is always welcome.
“It was a good game. In the first half we had chances to take the lead, and in the second half we calmed down after we scored.
“Maybe we could have played with more rhythm at the start of the match, but we found it as the game wore on and the result was fair.
“I have no preference about facing Espanyol. I didn’t think that Sevilla would be harder. Espanyol have a great team, great strikers and are in a great form.”
