Marcelino: “It was a magical night”

Athletic Club head coach Marcelino García Toral was in a jubilant mood after the Lions’ dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over FC Barcelona in the Copa on Thursday night.

In an end-to end match, Athletic sealed their place in the quarter-final thanks to captain Iker Muniain‘s penalty in the 106th minute.

“A Copa night at San Mamés is always special and tonight it became something magical,” Marcelino said at his post-match press conference.

“I don’t think I’ll forget it for as long as I live. We were the better side for most of the game against a great opponent. Football has been fair to Athletic today and all of this was enhance by the fans. You can’t imagine what they sounded like.”

The Gaffer singled Athletic’s attitude and their refusal to give in despite the setbacks, such as Pedri’s injury-time strike.

He said: “We scored a goal right at the start, they equalised, but we never doubted ourselves. I think we should have gone in at half-time with a lead.

“We took the lead again and, when we were close to victory, the game went to extra time, but we got back on our feet. All the statistics except possession tells us that we were superior and that we deserved to win.”