Valverde: "We weren't sharp enough"

Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde blamed a lack of clear chances in Valencia's box for Athletic's 1-0 defeat at Mestalla on Saturday evening.

Although it was an even game and the Lions had opportunities to score, they fell to a first LaLiga loss since October, a 10-match run.

"We lacked clarity up front, that bit of sharpness in the box," Valverde said at full-time.

"We got into their area, but that didn't turn into convincing goalscoring situations. The game was always going to be decided in one moment and that's what happened. Whoever got it right was going to win."

The Zurigorri will have no time for regrets as they take on FC Barcelona in the Copa quarter-finals in Bilbao on Wednesday night (21:30 CET).

He said: "When you lose, you always feel bad because nobody likes to lose. Fortunately we haven't lost for a long time and it's something that can happen.

"Now we have to go over what needs to be improved and start thinking about Wednesday."