Change of structure
“Losing that inside player when we switched to two strikers. From half-time onward, when we changed the structure, we weren’t able to maintain the first-half game plan. We couldn’t win our duels or the second balls. When we switched to playing with two forwards, we stopped controlling the match, stopped winning those second actions, and stopped winning those duels.”
Difference in parity
“We’d been warned. We saw Ceuta yesterday and we knew how difficult these matches are. They say it’s the tournament of surprises and epic moments, but it’s starting not to be such a surprise anymore. If you don’t match them in desire, intensity, and ambition, it’s very hard to compete despite the difference in categories.”
Keys to the match
“In the first half, if we had been more accurate with the chances we created, we would have seen a different game. If in the second half we had kept that three-man structure in midfield, I don’t know whether we would have won or lost, but we would have kept control of the match. After that, we were too rushed and very nervous.”
Double substitution at half-time
“They were forced changes, ones we knew we had to make. We knew we couldn’t risk Haitam much longer, and that Ochoa was coming back from an injury. It was a match with many circumstances. Under different conditions, we could have maintained our structure and continued with our idea.”
Hurt, but now focused on LaLiga
“It’s a tough day. Every time you lose, it’s tough. We need to put the Copa aside for now and focus on the league. With the huge equality we’re seeing, any effort we put into it won’t be enough.”