Garitano: “We went for the win until the end”

Athletic Club manager Gaizka Garitano praised the effort and desire to win shown by his players in the lions’ 1-1 draw with Villarreal CF at la Cerámica on Tuesday night.

“It was a shame not to get the win,” Garitano said at his post-match press conference. “But we have to be aware of the value of a point gained at a difficult ground like Villarreal’s.

“The team showed how desperate they were to win away from home. We didn’t come ready to settle for a point and we went for the win until the end.”

Garitano highlighted the lions’ dominant first-half performance against a Villarreal that are yet to lose at home in LaLiga Santander during the 2020-21 season.

“We played good football and were superior. In the second half they pushed more and they had the better of us in some moments, but they’re a good side,” he added.

“In the last 15 minutes, we came back into it and went looking for the winning goal. We take home a point from a tough ground.”