Valverde: “We have to keep pushing on”

Ernesto Valverde said his players need to put past results behind them and focus on their upcoming LaLiga Santander away day at RCD Mallorca on Monday (19:00 CEST).

Los Leones' unbeaten run came to an end with an unfortunate 0-1 defeat to Sevilla FC on Thursday night, but the gaffer is confident they can rediscover their best form ahead of this crucial run-in.

"No team will give you anything for free. You have to earn every point," Valverde said in his pre-match press conference.

"We're not getting the results we'd like at home, but in terms of our performances, we don't feel as if we deserved to lose any of them. What happened against Sevilla happened, we have to keep pushing on and not look back."

Los Rojiblancos remain in the fight for European places and are set to face tough opposition in the form of Javier Aguirre's "defensively solid" RCD Mallorca side.

Ernesto said: "Mallorca will wait and let you have the ball, but it's not what it seems because they're always ready to break forward, counter-attack and launch long balls to Muriqi or Kang In Lee.

"At home they're strong and win important games. They're a difficult and awkward team to play against. Defensively they're very solid, but playing at home, I don't think they'll totally shut up shop."

The Zurigorri have done well on the road in recent weeks, wracking up three wins in their last three away fixtures in LaLiga.

"Generally speaking, we compete well away from home and hopefully that will be the case tomorrow," Valverde added.

"In difficult situations we have always bounced back and now we have to focus on that. We're playing for everything every week."