Javi Llabrés, 'Pichu' Cuéllar and Jagoba Arrasate analysed our 3-2 win at CD Numancia in the Copa del Rey. Find out what our stars and the boss had to say below in their post-match interviews.
Javi Llabrés:
On the game: We know these knockout rounds are very difficult. We've seen that you suffer a lot, that the matches are very tough, and that you have to be very focused. The important thing was to advance to the next round.
On the first goal: Not playing regularly takes its toll, especially physically, and these matches are very good for me to get back into rhythm, regain my feel for the game, and if I can score, even better.
'Pichu' Cuéllar:
On being the oldest player to represent the club: I feel emotional, I remember everything I've experienced and everything that's happened. Today is very special for me: for my family, for all my teammates, and for all the days I've worked behind the scenes. The record is just a side note; Pep Lluís Martí, whose record I'm taking, has many more kilometers under his belt than I do, and that's commendable.
On fighting until last minute: The cup is great, and a lower-division team has that dream of being able to knock out a big club. They're prepared, and we knew they were going to make it difficult for us.
On the next match: Now it's a clean slate, and we need to focus on Friday, which is a very important league match for us. It would be fantastic to get the three points.
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the next round: That was the objective, although we suffered, yes. In the second half, we stopped doing some of the things we did in the first. They stepped up their game too, and that's part of the magic of the cup. Luckily, we advanced, and that's what we wanted.
On the game: We played well in the first half, with a lot of focus and giving Numancia few opportunities. We were incisive in attack: we scored two goals and had a few more chances. The game opened up a bit in the second half, and we lacked control. That's what we need to improve.
On coming back to Numancia: It's always wonderful to return to a place where you've been happy.
On 'Pichu' Cuéllar: He deserves it because he works every day to make this happen. And even if it doesn't happen, he still works just as hard, and we're happy for him too. We knew it was a special day for him, and we're delighted.