Two clubs chasing the Copa del Rey will do battle today in a match between Malaga and Athletic Bilbao. The Spanish clash scheduled for 4 p.m. ET will be held at La Rosaleda in Malaga and can be live streamed here free.
What They're Saying
Malaga manager Javi Garcia (via Inside Spanish Football): "The team wants to play well and retrieve the values of maximum intensity, dedication and skill that we've shown throughout the season. This is what led to such a successful first round and enabled us to reach the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, and what will help us to keep moving forward. Málaga has an historic opportunity to continue progressing in the Copa del Rey."
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde (via Inside Spanish Football): "It's an opportunity from an emotional point of view. We've left our previous meeting well in the background because they have changed and we have too. In any case, I see an even qualifying round. I'm conscious of what team will play, absolutely. I always consider all the variables. This tie gives us access to the semifinal and the importance of this match doesn't escape us, but that doesn't mean we'll lose sight of our weekend league game. We have it all in perspective."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Athletic Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz has two Copa del Rey goals in two appearances. In 15 league appearances, the 33-year-old has an additional five and an average of 1.6 fouls drawn.
Malaga's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Torres, Antunes; Recio, Darder; Samu, Duda, Castillejo; Amrabat
Athletic Bilbao's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Iraizoz, Marcos, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga, Rico, Jose, Unai; Susaeta, Aduriz, Viguera
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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