Valverde: "We're not converting our dominance into goals"

Ernesto Valverde applauded his players' reaction after a poor start, but would like to have seen Athletic Club turn their "dominance into goals".

The match became an uphill struggle after Girona's early goal, but at least the Lions managed to rescue a point thanks to Mikel Jauregizar's wonder strike in the 48th minute.

"When our opponents sit deep and close down the space, we struggle," Valverde said post-match.

"It's happened to us before. You always want to convert that dominance into goals, and we're not managing to do that. We need to rediscover our form from last season."

The gaffer made four changes at half-time as Athletic looked to respond and turn things around.

He said: "Often when you make changes at half-time, you're looking to shake things up and revitalise the team.

"If we'd continued like we were, I could see we were going to lose. Our play was very predictable and poor in the first half.

"We needed to react. We had time and chances to come back, but it wasn't possible."

 

Although Athletic didn't go on to get the win, Valverde took encouragement from the second-half display.

"Last year we were the team that conceded the fewest goals. We did well in that respect," he said.

"Today, we exposed ourselves quite a bit without gaining anything from it.

"In the second half, we played better and had chances to win, which is what it's all about. We all fought to create danger in attack and stay solid in defence.

"I know I ask a lot of the players and it's difficult. We've ended our goal drought, it's a shame we didn't score, but we have to keep trying."