Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa refutes the idea that the Copa del Rey can be an oasis from their League and European woe.
On the cusp of the relegation zone in La Liga and in need of a remarkable turnaround to qualify from the Europa League group stage, Los Leones take on fellow Basques Eibar at the tiny Ipurua stadium tomorrow, in the last 32 of the Copa.
“We are fighting at the bottom of the League, so there is no oasis,” the Rosario native told assembled journalists.
“The succession of defeats has not affected our collective. It would be much more worrisome if it had. For now, yes it saddens us, but it multiplies our desire to reverse the situation that we are in.”
Bielsa was also asked about the playing surface at Iparua, which has had to be relaid, and claimed his side did not deserve to lose 2-1 to Getafe on Sunday.
“Both teams will play with the same difficulties, but we are prepared, and must find solutions.
“We played better than Getafe. There are defeats that are deserved and defeats that are undeserved. You have to observe how we lost.”
