Valverde: “It was a crucial week and we've picked up nine points”
Valverde: “It was a crucial week and we've picked up nine points”
The gaffer was in jubilant mood after Athletic's 3-1 defeat of Celta Vigo at The Cathedral
Athletic Club head coach Ernesto Valverde praised his players for topping off "a crucial week" with a 3-1 win over a quality Celta Vigo side at San Mames on Sunday afternoon.
Gorka Guruzeta put the Lions ahead early on before Iago Aspas equalised from the spot after a controversial call.
Guruzeta netted again shortly before the break and Álvaro Djaló killed off the match in the 79th minute with his first LaLiga strike.
"I can't remember a week like this, where you have three LaLiga games and you win all three. It was a crucial week," Valverde said post-match.
"We went to Las Palmas a bit tight on points, we needed to win and we've picked up nine points that will help us start the Europa League in a good frame of mind.
"The distance between defeat and victory is not that big in a league as tight as this one. We work hard so that the small details fall on our side and it's working for us."
The gaffer was particularly pleased to see Guruzeta and Djaló to get off the mark this season, saying the confidence boost will do them wonders.
He said: "It's always good for the strikers to score because it gives them confidence - although we don't really mind who scores. Goals and points in the first division are worth a lot."