

Athletic Club Ernesto Valverde is hopeful Los Leones' 4-1 victory over Cádiz CF at San Mames can act as a catalyst for an upturn in results going into the second half of the season.
Los Rojiblancos were in fine form on Friday night, with Oihan Sancet putting in a particularly impressive performance to score a hat-trick and take home the match ball.
"It was a vital match. These are three important points to kickstart the second half of the season," Valverde said after full-time. "We won in the Copa and we won in LaLiga. Now we have to keep this going.
"Even though we scored first, Cádiz started the game well. But we were getting into their box and had some clear chances. Today we managed to convert our dominance into a win. It's a great starting point."
The emphatic win ends a run in which Athletic had not seen victory in LaLiga since before the World Cup. Valverde was happy not just that the Lions are over this poor spell, but also with how they did it.
"We're very happy because we wanted to end the negative slump as soon as possible," he said. "It meant a lot to be able to win. We're starting again and it's important to do it like this."


Work plan until March 26
First Team
The Athletic Club men's first team will stick to the following training schedule until March 26


Tickets for Athletic Club vs CA Osasuna in the Copa
First Team
Early-bird sale for Club Athletic members until Sunday night. General sale starts on March 20


Valverde: “We deserved a win like this.”
First Team
Ernesto Valverde praises a victory which saw Los Leones to break their losing streak


Impressive victory at Pucela
First Team
Athletic Club go into the internatioal break with a much-needed that puts them back in the fight for Europe


Iñigo Martínez and Nico Williams called up to Spain squad
First Team
Athletic Club's defender and forward have been selected by Luis de la Fuente for the Euro 2024 qualifiers


Match Pack: Real Valladolid CF vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD26)
First Team
Athletic head to Real Valladolid's José Zorilla looking for three crucial points


Squad List: Real Valladolid CF vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD26)
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Ernesto Valverde calls up 21 players for Friday night's LaLiga match at the José Zorrilla


Valverde: "We want to win, but we're not fretting"
First Team
The boss said Athletic are desperate to win because they want to stay in the top half of the table


Global TV Guide: Real Valladolid vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD26)
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LaLiga TV operators and kick-off times around the world for Friday's match at the José Zorilla


Valverde: "We're left with a bittersweet feeling"
First Team
Valverde believes Athletic did enough to win but acknowledged "it's not enough to play well and deserve to win".