Valverde: “The dismissal was key”

Julen Agirrezabala's "dismissal was key" to Athletic drawing 1-1 against Sevilla FC at San Mames on Sunday evening, according to Ernesto Valverde.

Julen was sent off in the 83rd minute for a foul on Mateo outside the box, although the keeper seemed to get a touch to the ball, and Sevilla equalised in the following moments with substitute shotstopper Alex Padilla inadvertently scoring an own goal after an Unai Nuñez clearance struck the crossbar before hitting Alex's back.

He said. "When you draw it all depends on who scores the equaliser. If you get the equaliser it feels better. On the other hand, if the other team scores, it feels like the points have escaped you.

"It was a circumstance of the match. The game seemed over and done but the sending off was key. That and the goal. It was a hard-fought match. They started very well and, afterwards, we were better.

"It was a shame. Points have escaped us at home in some strange situations. Sevilla are a great team, they never gave up and we have to keep going."

Valverde was blunt about the moment that changed the game, saying that he didn't believe Julen should have been given a red card.

He said: "For us it's not a sending-off, because Julen touches the ball and it bounces away. Then he touches the player. They checked the situation and decided to send the player off. They called a foul and sent him off."