Valverde: “We have to improve our numbers”

Athletic Club head into the second half of 2025/26 on the back of a 1-1 draw with CA Osasuna at El Sadar and Ernesto Valverde admitted the Lions will need to improve their performances going forward.

European qualification is still on the cards for Athletic, who are currently eighth on 24 points, four points away from Real Betis in sixth, who have two games in hand.

"We're not satisfied because we have fewer points than we would like," the gaffer said after the match in Pamplona. "We haven't been as good as we would have liked. but now we have to improve our numbers."

Rubén García put Osasuna ahead in the first half at El Sadar, but Gorka Guruzeta rescued a point with a precise finish in the 71st minute.

Valverde said: "When you're behind on the scoreboard and you equalise, the point always feels better. We went for the win, but in the first half hour, the match was going their way.

"We weren't playing out well from the back and every time they stole possession they had a chance to score. Even so, we were getting into their half, but then we conceded the goal.

"In the second half, we pushed forward and scored the equaliser. We wanted the second goal, but we couldn't get it and the match ended in a draw. That's how derbies are, they're tough."

On Wednesday, the Lions travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where we face FC Barcelona in the Supercopa semi-finals. The boss acknowledged, Athletic won't be the favourites, but still wants to see a decent display.

"Nothing is set in stone," he added. "We're not the favourites, but we still have to go out there and play, everything is up for grabs. We're going to try to make the most of every opportunity."