Arrasate: "You have to play with a cool head and a warm heart"

   MADRID, 28 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Osasuna's coach, Jagoba Arrasate, pointed out this Tuesday that the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals against Athletic is "a special and historic match" that they must play "with a cool head and a warm heart", at the same time as appealed to the "best version" of a team that has to be "recognizable" and that has "arguments to fight for the final".

"It's a special and historic game, we're prepared. We're coming off a victory and playing a good game, which gives us the push we need to face a game like this. The team has already played games of this type this year and we've done well "There are all the incentives to play a good game. We want to play in the final and for that we have to achieve merits", Arrasate analyzed at the press conference prior to the Cup duel against the rojiblancos this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.).

The coach indicated that he wants "to see a recognizable Osasuna" and to do "everything" in his power "to achieve a good result." "If we do different things, it would be the first step to make a mistake. We need the best version of Osasuna, we have to do things that we have already done. They may have more experience than us in these games, but we are very excited", he highlighted.

"The mental factor is important, as well as rigor on the field. But you have to bring things back to normal. You have to play with a cool head and a warm heart," he added about the mental aspect, before highlighting the importance of El's support. Sadar. "Tomorrow the fans will start again, we have to play the game together, with them we are stronger," he reiterated.

"When we have been at our level, we have been able to compete with any team. We have the experience of the game against Sevilla at home, it was difficult for us to enter, the stage was a bit difficult for us at the beginning, but little by little we became great, we we kept standing. We have grown, if we have reached the semifinals it is because nobody has given it to us and we have arguments to fight for the pass to the final", he warned.

El Sadar, "surely with the best entry" since Arrasate's arrival on the bench in 2018, will host this Wednesday "the most important game" of the coach in his time as 'rojillo'. "When we arrive, one dreams of matches like these, and if we continue like this, even more important matches can come," he predicted.

"I don't waste time thinking about the favourite. We have our options and we must rush them to the maximum. I see the changing room with the calm that I value, but also with hope and a sparkle in my eyes," he confessed before a "historic opportunity to show what It's a Basque derby".

In the purely sports field, Arrasate confirmed that he is recovering Rubén García and Nacho Vidal, so he has "practically all the pieces to make the puzzle". "In midfield we have a multitude of alternatives and they can all be valid. Budimir had a fever, but he has entered the squad and is fit. Kike has just played a good game and we also have the option of 'Chimy'", he commented on the position of nine'.

"Athletic have been one point above us -in the last clashes-, we must learn from that. I don't waste time thinking about a good result, our idea is to go out and win tomorrow. In the 0-0 -last duel direct- they dominated and subdued us, tomorrow we want to have more ball. Now we are ahead in the League, just like on Sunday they exhausted all their misfortune. I hope a good Athletic, to the best rival", he analyzed his opponent this Wednesday.