Luis Suárez: 'We played much better in the second half'

Luis Suárez celebrates his game-tying goal in the 53rd minute of Wednesday night's 3–1 victory over Athletic Club Bilbao in the Copa del Rey. / VICTOR SALGADO - FCB
The FC Barcelona striker, who tied the game in the 53rd minute, breaks down the win over Athletic Club

Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and midfielder Sergi Roberto also speak to the media

FC Barcelona are back in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Yes, again.

The Catalans will be in the tournament’s final four for the sixth straight year after beating Athletic Club 3-1 in the second leg of the quarter-finals at the Camp Nou. Barça go through 5–2 on aggregate.

The key play of the game was Luis Suarez‘s goal in the 53rd minute that revived a Barça team that hit a rough patch for the better part of the first half

“We had a bad first half, but in the second we were much better and went out looking for the tying goal,” he said.

With the Basques ahead on the scoreboard, the going got tough for FC Barcelona. “Their goal made it more difficult for us, but we were aware that these games require a lot of hard work,” he said.

Suárez also made the following post-game statements:

“Athletic is a team that presses very well and they always come out to play. The intermission allowed us to identify the mistakes we made in the first half.”

“Sergio [Busquets] is very important for the team, just like the rest of the players. His absence is no excuse because we knew that Athletic would play like that.”

“The fans are very important for us. The fact that they support us is a bonus.”

Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and midfielder Sergi Roberto also spoke after the game:

Ter Stegen

“In the second half we were better. We found more space and our strikers took advantage.”

“Athletic are very difficult rivals for us because they create so much pressure when we’re bringing out the ball.”

“All the teams that are in the Cup are great teams. Surely we’ll have a very tough opponent in the semi-finals. ”

“We need to rest and recover to get in good condition for the match against Atlético Madrid.”

Sergi Roberto

“There are games that become complicated, but the important thing is that the team reacted and found solutions to turn the game around.”

“In the second half we came out with much more intensity. The team showed up.”

“Personally, it is very important for the coach to give me minutes, it doesn’t matter at what position. What I want is to play and to help the team.”