Athletic Club Bilbao midfielder Mikel Jauregizar has admitted they got carried away against Manchester United and were ultimately punished by them.
Cadena SER cover comments from the 21-year-old today in which he admits the Spanish side lost focus as they tried to secure a Europa League final place in their own stadium, San Mames.
Manchester United ran out 4-1 winners against Bilbao on Thursday evening, with a double from Mason Mount and goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund ensuring that Jauregizar’s goal in the 31st minute meant nothing.
Ruben Amorim’s side run out 7-1 winners overall in the tie, backing up a superb first-leg performance with another impressive display at Old Trafford to take themselves one step closer to a return to the Champions League.
The two-legs against Bilbao had been expected to be a difficult affair but in reality, the Spanish side were nowhere near their best.
Their big stars, namely Nico Williams, failed to show up in the first leg and were then absent for the second leg through injury.
It was a disappointing showing from a side who’ve had plenty of praise this season and Jauregizar admits they got carried away and ultimately punished.
“It doesn’t reflect the result of the tie,” he said when asked about his goal.
“They punished us a lot, we got carried away, and the truth is, it’s something we have to correct. The truth is that we were very good in the first half, even at the beginning of the second half, but it’s true that their goal hurt us a lot.
“We got carried away a bit. We came in with a lot of hope and desire, and it showed on the pitch. We do have to improve on letting ourselves get carried away and being punished so much. It’s something that has hurt us a lot and can’t happen again.”
