RAKITIC AND DMITROVIC NOTE HOW THIS CUP VICTORY IS A "STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION"

Ivan Rakitic and Marko Dmitrovic starred in the cup victory in Mendizorroza against Deportivo Alavés. Paying tribute to advancing into the quarter-final stage of the competition whilst having to withstand several periods of intense pressure from the home side, goalscorer and captain on the night Rakitic said that "this is what the Copa is all about, we have to focus on the positives. We are into the quarter-finals and have taken an important step forward. We know that we have to improve in a number of areas of our game, but we have just won at a tricky place to come and play. We have to enjoy ourselves today and then get ready for the weekend."

He reflected upon the game, being both self-critical yet also acknowledging that the team can approach their upcoming fixtures with confidence: "There are many things to value from our performance today. Keeping a clean sheet, winning away at a difficult ground, we have to focus on this... we don't need to all have a go at each other, but maintain a good atmosphere. Since November, we have only lost one game, it was only the other day and we conceded in the last minute. We all need to get over it. We should take confidence and strength from this result, and thanks to the fans who travelled to watch us today. We work to be the best and we want to gain even more confidence from getting a victory this weekend."

The central midfielder ended by speaking about the return of teammate Lucas Ocampos, confirmed on Tuesday night: "Lucas has returned and I am happy that he can be here with us, I am sure that he will be at his best. We can welcome him back, but it's important that he gets up to speed with the rest of the team."

Our goalkeeper Dmitrovic showed his satisfaction with the match, focusing not on a personal level, but for the whole group who he believes will gain confidence from this result: "It's brilliant to keep a clean sheet, but the most important thing is advancing into the quarters. It was a hard match against a tough opponent who were in front of their home fans, they were very motivated but we were intent on winning today. We won and on we go to the next stage of the competition. Of course I am a goalkeeper, but in the coach's system you have to play almost like another outfield player... we keep following this process, we have improved in several dimensions of our game, and we have taken a step forward following a frustrating loss in the league."

To close, he was asked about the performance of recent signing Loïc Badé, who has settled in well to the side: "It is always difficult when you join anew team, but Badé has done well since he first stepped into the club, he is a great young guy, who is ambitious too, and hopefully he will continue performing in the same vain as he has up until this point."