Valverde: "We have to keep fighting"

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde insisted the Lions cannot afford to let their heads drop after their 1-0 loss to Atlético Madrid at the Cívitas Metropolitano on Sunday evening.

Los Rojiblancos fought well and dominated for large spells of the match but came unstuck due to an Antoine Griezmann goal in the 73rd minute.

"Everything is seen through the prism of the result, but I'll also take the good, which there quite a lot of," Valverde said post match.

"I think we had chances to score. We were really looking forward to this game and we approached it very well. This is a long race and we have to keep fighting."

Valverde admitted that Atlético were much improved after the break and Los Leones struggled to deal with their high press.

He said: "In the second half we weren't as good as in the first, but that was because they took a step forward. They were playing at home and you always expect them to put pressure on you.

"They were coming at us and we couldn't break through the press. We didn't have a response in terms of controlling the game."