Bielsa not panicking after Eibar draw

1 November 2012 21:02

Athletic Bilbao head coach Marcelo Bielsa has declared he 'cannot be disappointed' with a 0-0 draw with third-tier Eibar in the Copa del Rey.

Thursday's result has taken Bilbao to just one win in their past 10 games in all competitions, although it did halt a streak of three-straight defeats.

With a trip to Granada on Sunday in La Liga next up, Bielsa believes Bilbao have to be happy with a first-leg draw away to Eibar, which keeps the Basque club's hopes of a Round of 16 berth alive in the Copa del Rey.

"With our form in mind, strangely I cannot feel disappointed with a draw," Bielsa said.

"It is difficult to accept but the first step in any operation is to act with humility and we are required to accept the negative situation as it is.

"It may sound exaggerated to be not particularly disappointed with this result but it would be arrogant to admit otherwise after the first half we produced."

Bilbao are 16th in the standings in La Liga with just two wins from their opening nine games and they will take on the team just below them on the table on Sunday.

Granada have the same number of points as Bilbao (eight) but should provide Bielsa's side, which still includes quality players like Markel Susaeta, Ander Herrera and Fernando Llorente, a relatively easy match that may launch the Basques' season.

Llorente made his first start of the season against Eibar with his future at Bilbao still under a cloud as major clubs around Europe remain keen to sign the big striker.