Valverde: “It's an important point”

Head coach Ernesto Valverde said the Lions picked up "an important point" in their 0-0 LaLiga draw with FC Barcelona at The Cathedral on Sunday night.

A much-changed Athletic side from Thursday's Copa semi-final did a great job keeping Barça pinned back and had the better chances to take all three points.

"This is an important point. We know how hard it was for us and the week we've had," Valverde said in his post-match press conference.

"The players have delivered. We would have liked to have won, but we have to appreciate what we had in front of us. We're delighted with the way the team worked.

"I always think our opponents always show us respect here, but that doesn't mean they're not going to try to beat us. Barça started the game very well and we had to be strong at the back.

After that we moved forward and created situations in which we could have won. We mustn't forget that we were competing against the reigning LaLiga champions."

The point allows Athletic to distance themselves from the chasing pack with fewer and fewer games left to play.

Valverde continued: "There are 11 games left and every win is going to mean a lot. For us the point is significant considering how we came into the match and all the effort we've put in."