Valverde: “This team has spirit”

Ernesto Valverde praised his players' attitude after their last-gasp 1-2 Copa quarter-final win over Valencia CF at Mestalla. 

Captain Iñaki Williams scored a 96th-minute winner to put Athletic through to a sixth Copa del Rey semi-final in the last six years.

“This team always has spirit, and that is something we must never lose," the boss said after the match.

"Reaching the semi-finals, something Athletic have done a lot lately, is a success for us and we hope it will also be a cause for celebration for our fans."

The gaffer hopes the result will be "a huge morale boost" as they move into the final stretch of the campaign.

He continued: “We played a match in which we dominated for long periods. That was our aim from the beginning.

"It's not been an easy season for anyone, and all this is great for the team because we desperately need results."