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Marcelino: “We want to be in the draw for the quarter-finals”

Marcelino: “We want to be in the draw for the quarter-finals”

The Athletic boss previewed Thursday night’s Copa match against CD Alcoyano

Athletic Club manager Marcelino García Toral acknowledged CD Alcoyano will be tough opponents on Thursday night (21:00 CET), but reiterated that the Lions are desperate to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

The Rojiblancos came through a tough encounter with UD Ibiza to reach the Round of 16, whilst CD Alcoyano have already knocked out First Division teams in SD Huesca and Real Madrid.

“We know it’s going to be difficult,” Marcelino said in his pre-match press conference. “But we want to be in the draw for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.”

“Alcoyano like to play direct football and look for opportunities from the second ball,” Marcelino said about what he expects from the Segunda Division B team. “They play with a high level of intensity. We’re prepared to suffer a bit.”

Spirits at the Club are high, something which Marcelino says he finds preferable. The Gaffer came to Bilbao at the beginning of January and, apart from his first match in charge, against FC Barcelona, the Lions are yet to lose with him in the dugout.

“After the Super Cup, we’ve managed to maintain a high competitive level,” he said. “That being said, in these matches, the result is what sees you through to the next round.

“We always prefer to go into games from a positive place, instead of a place of uncertainty.”

 With his squad and the busy fixture schedule in mind -Athletic have already played six matches in January- Marcelino will look to make changes to the starting line-up.

“All the players are massively important,” he added. “Even those who participate less, because for us it’s essential that everyone feels like they’re involved and they’re part of the group.”