Valverde: "We reacted well and fought until the end"
Valverde: "We reacted well and fought until the end"
Ernesto Valverde praises Athletic Club for their performance against Villarreal despite the "frustating" equaliser late on
Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde was pleased with the level shown by his players in a tough game against a Villarreal side which is on the up.
In an evenly-matched affair, Oihan Sancet gave Athletic the lead in the 66th minute before Dani Parejo equalised from the spot in stoppage time.
"It was a tough match, we competed well. Both of us were going hard for the win. After seeing how difficult it was for us, given the week we've had, I think the team responded well," Valverde said after full-time.
Despite the "frustation" with Villarreal's equaliser, the penalty given after a dubious handball by Yuri, Valverde wants to see his team turn the page and focus on the run-in.
He said: "We have to keep fighting to improve our position. The idea is to take points off those in front."