Valverde: "A performance fitting the celebration"

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde was delighted with the Lions' performance, saying their 2-0 win over Atlético Madrid captured the celebratory mood at San Mames as we saw out our 125th anniversary in style.

Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams, who scored a stunner, sent San Mames wild in a completely dominant display over the Madrid-based outfit.

"We played very well. It was a great game. We deserved the victory and the match was worthy of the day," Valverde said post-match.

"We're very happy and enormously pleased with the way the match went on a very special day for the club. We were really looking forward to this game because of the opponents plus the situation and we have been rewarded with a win."

The win leaves Athletic just two points away from the Champions League positions. Valvered reserved particular praise for the Lions' attitude and the fact they did not let their heads drop after some unlucky misses in the first 45.

He said: "After a first half in which we weren't clinical enough, we kept going and that was very important. We have to keep getting it right after this victory, a win which gives us a lot of confidence."