"The scoreline isn't a long shot, and nothing is decided yet. [It's] an opportunity to play a final, and each team must explore its strengths. We'll try to play our game to achieve our best performance. If we concede a goal, we have to score two to tie; I don't think they'll play defensively, they'll come out to win."
"[Since the first leg], we've recovered players, we've been picking up points, and we're in good shape. The scoreline isn't a long shot, and nothing is decided yet. I don't expect a tight game at all."
"Just over two months after arriving, a final? We're not there yet; we have a game to play. I always say the same thing: take it one step at a time, day by day, game by game."
Athletic Club prepares for the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad, trailing 1-0 from the first match. Despite statistical disadvantages with only a 28.2% win probability compared to Real Sociedad's 44.9%, manager Ernesto Valverde emphasizes the deficit is manageable. He notes his team has recovered players and gained form since the first leg. Valverde expects an open, attacking match rather than defensive play, stating Athletic must score two goals if they concede one. Real Sociedad's manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, in his second month in charge, remains cautious despite his impressive 58.3% win rate, focusing on taking the competition one game at a time.
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