Arrasate: "The game was decided by Abde's genius, it must be said like that"

MADRID, 2 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Osasuna's coach, Jagoba Arrasate, highlighted this Wednesday the good game of the Moroccan international Ez Abde, author of the goal of the victory (1-0) of his team against Athletic Club in the first leg of the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, At the same time, he recognized the importance of extending his options "one more month."

"We came from a good game in Seville and they from a tough defeat in San Mamés. In the end the game was decided by Abde's genius and sometimes you have to say it that way," said the coach at a press conference.

The Basque coach highlighted the "evenness" of the match and acknowledged the good result. "The game was very even. Both teams neutralized each other well. In the only moment we were better, we got ahead with Abde's genius. The result is good. It was what we wanted, extending our options for another month" he expressed.

"We have gone a bit to minimize the rival. Especially when it is the first game you want to win with a small mouth. All this has been shown in the first half. Yes, I have seen respect between the two teams," he added.

Arrasate also highlighted the rival's virtues and wanted to make self-criticism. "It was a very close match, with a more compact Athletic. We were clear that they couldn't run us off. We didn't play well, which was also Athletic's merit", he pointed out.

"It's very difficult to beat Athletic and every time they lose it's by one goal. We're ahead, yes, we know it's very complicated, yes, but all of that is within a month and now we have to focus on the League. Anything can change a lot," he said.

Lastly, the coach highlighted the good form of Ez Abde, key in the victory of the rojillos. "After the World Cup it cost him, but when he is with a spark he is unbalancing. We have to give him that ecosystem so that he shines. We already know the player he is," he concluded.