Quique Setién: Barcelona have taken a step forward despite defeat | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Quique Setién insists that his side have ‘taken a step forward’ despite their 1-o Copa del Rey quarter-final defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

Sergio Busquets accidentally headed home an Ibai Gómez cross in the 93rd minute to send Athletic through to the first Copa del Rey semi-finals that won’t include Barcelona or Real Madrid in a decade.

After the match, Setién took many positives from their third loss in their last seven matches.

“Taking into account what has happened to us in other games from home, we have taken a step forward in terms of what we have to improve,” Setien told reporters after the match.

“It is the same as ever; there are days when you have one chance and put it in, and there are days where you have ten and can’t do it. There isn’t a reasonable explanation.

“I have never known what to blame it on. Their goal came from a play that wasn’t dangerous. There are things that can’t be controlled and this is one of them.

“Everything went well, except for the result. I am happy with the team’s work.

“We controlled the second half. Marc-Andre [ter Stegen] didn’t have any saves to make and it was a shame because we had the game under control.

“We created several clear chances and they got the goal when there was no time for us to react. We looked good and we were the better team.

“We didn’t win but it will come. It is a pity the competition doesn’t give us the chance for revenge but we must be positive despite not deserving to be eliminated.”

Barcelona will have to lift their heads and prepare for a tough away fixture at Real Betis on Sunday.