Javier Aguirre: "It was a great final without a happy ending"
The RCD Mallorca coach is very proud of his team's performance in Seville: "I told them that we have to keep our heads up".
"This time we tried the lottery of penalties, but lady luck wasn’t on our side". Resigned but proud of his players, Javier Aguirre sportsmanly accepted the defeat against Athletic Club in a great final of the Copa del Rey, whose outcome was celebrated long into Saturday night in Seville.
The Mexican coach was satisfied with the outcome of a final in which "we did well and we had the chance to make it 2-0 with Larin's shot, but they hurt us and we had to reorganise ourselves. The plan went perfectly and the pity is that we couldn't put the good work we did without the ball into practice. Congratulations to Athletic for the victory".
🗣️ Javier Aguirre, entrenador del @RCD_Mallorca: "Les dije a los jugadores que la cabeza siempre alta. Dimos lo que tenemos, no tenemos más".
— RFEF (@rfef) April 6, 2024
➡️ "Esto nos ha permitido soñar con los penaltis, que son una suerte de azar. No hay nada que reprochar".#CopaDelRey | #LaCopaMola pic.twitter.com/oISWQRO3Cd
"You can't punish yourself, or lament the situation because life itself is like that", Aguirre summed up, saying he was hurt "for all those people who travelled to support the team and to whom I say that we make it extremely difficult to beat us. I know it's a poor argument, but we should be proud of it".
🗣️ Javier Aguirre: "Hoy les dejaré que se consuelen con la familia, con los compañeros, que se liberen un poco porque las derrotas hay que asumirlas".
— RFEF (@rfef) April 6, 2024
➡️ "Tenemos cuatro días para preparar el siguiente partido y seguir adelante".#CopaDelRey | #LaCopaMola pic.twitter.com/Y3RyV2wu18
After the cup final, RCD Mallorca must now face the challenge of securing their stay in the top flight. The coach is clear about the steps to be taken: "Today I'll let them cry in their family's arms, but tomorrow I want them to be ready again," he concluded firmly.