Barcelona will not be returning to the Copa del Rey final after being eliminated by Athletic Club on Thursday evening, yet Quique Setien believes everything went well for his team, aside from the result.
Los Cules came into the match under a cloud of controversy after a rather public disagreement between Lionel Messi and Eric Abidal, and this result will do little to improve the mood around the club.
"Everything went well except the result," Setien explained in his post-match press conference.
"It's sad to be eliminated, but I think we've taken a step forward in what we need to improve.
"I will take many more things from this match other than the result."
Gerard Pique was forced off in the 80th minute of play through a suspected right adductor injury, with the latest ailment leaving the Spanish coach with a multitude of problems.
"He had suffered a little with a fever and was a bit weaker," Setien added.
"I think he has been overworked a bit.
"I don't expect the injury to be anything serious."
Sergio Busquets believes that Barcelona were unfortunate not to progress to the semi-final, and this is a sentiment that Setien echoed when discussing the second half at San Mames.
"In the second half we generated four or five very clear chances," he intimated.
"Their goal came at time when we couldn't react.
"We played the entire second half in the way we wanted, but we paid the penalty for not scoring when they were uncomfortable."
ditbios
531
we need creative with attacking midfielders, midfielder is not only for pass... they should have to shoot too... and barca always play short today we didn't even give heading passes... we should have to work on heading also
emondorock
502
How can he be happy with a loss.He should be saying what a big dissapointment we didnt take advantage of the many good chances we had.Poor finnishing at that level is pathetic.
hardy835
496
Busquet is a night mare to the club and must be allowed to leave.Very lazy and stupid defensive midfielder of all time. I don't hate you but I pray that you should get injured.
feycmotu
407
The team played well. More compact. However, this should be the last year for Busquets and Rakitic. We need another player who can dribble out of the back. We suffered under pressing with no outlet.
Tshoda
296
everything never went well.. U put Ansu down instead of Roberto.. u should have started Vidal instead of Roberto also.. and you have also used the same midfield about three games now
ABySS
268
No Setien, You're setting a wrong examples..Atleast accept the mistakes. Have the balls to say and do things. First. Vidal should've been subbed first. Fati was going good. Definitely better than Greizmann today. But its jist my opinion. Just want to convey he ought to accept and learn from the mistakes he as a coach commits!