Unai Nuñez: “We knew we’d have to suffer”

Athletic Club centre-back Unai Nuñez said the Lions knew they would have to ride out some rough patches in order to defeat UD Ibiza at Can Misses in Thursday’s Copa del Rey match.

The rojiblancos managed to come back from a goal down to beat the spirited Balearic islanders and it was Nuñez who scored the injury-time goal that sent Athletic through to the Round of 16.

“We knew what awaited us in this match,” Nuñez said in his post-match press conference. “We’ve seen that big teams have suffered in this type of fixture so far in the competition, and we knew that something similar could happen today.”

“We had prepared for it, but we’re Athletic and we never give up.”

Nuñez declared he was glad to add another goal to his personal tally, but even happier his goal helped Athletic go onto the next round, saying: “Fortunately it fell at my feet.

“Another goal for my personal account, which always helps and motivates, but the most imporant thing is that it served to help the team move onto the Round of 16. That’s what we came for.”