Garitano: “The team stood up, we competed well”

Gaizka Garitano was full of praise for the attitude shown by Athletic Club on Tuesday night despite their 3-1 loss to Real Madrid at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Although Athletic went down to ten men in the 14th minute and conceded just before half-time, the lions put in a spirited performance and deserved at least a point from the match.

“We played with personality,” Garitano said at his post-match press conference. “The team stood up and they kept going until the end even though they played with ten men for most of the game.

“We didn’t play worse than the opposition, but the points have escaped us. It’s a shame.”

The manager said Raúl García‘s early sending-off had a massive impact upon the game, adding: “Playing with one less for the whole match affects everything.

“A pity, because even with one down we did well. The attitude was good, the players have done well.

We have to keep working so that the small details don’t punish us so much. When things are done well, the reward should be better, and we’ll keep fighting for that.”

Garitano highlighted the role played by squad members who have not had many recent starts, saying: “Everyone out there played at a good level. I’m happy with [Óscar] De Marcos, he’s come off the back of a long injury and he was good tonight.

“We’ll need everyone with the schedule we have ahead. In three days we have a vital match at San Mamés.”