Terzic: "I won the Cup in Germany, I really like these knockout ties"

Athletic Club manager Edin Terzic previews tomorrow's Copa del Rey first-round tie at AE Prat, emphasizing the competition's importance to the club and his personal connection after winning it with Borussia Dortmund.

Athletic Club travel to AE Prat on Thursday night in the Copa del Rey first round, with manager Edin Terzic stressing the significance of the competition ahead of the match. Terzic won the German Cup in his first season managing Borussia Dortmund and views the knockout tournament as particularly important, both for the club—which won it just two years ago—and for himself personally.

The Athletic manager confirmed his team will approach the tie with full intensity despite facing opposition from Liga Elite, Spain's sixth tier. Terzic revealed the coaching staff have conducted thorough analysis, watching complete matches and sending scouts to observe AE Prat. He declined to name his starting lineup but promised a strong team, noting that several players will have the opportunity to impress ahead of Sunday's Basque derby against Real Sociedad at San Mamés.

The match will be played on artificial turf at Hospitalet's stadium after the federation denied AE Prat permission to use their home ground. Terzic acknowledged the challenge of playing away on an artificial surface on Thursday evening but framed it as an opportunity rather than an excuse.