Valverde: “These are three very valuable points”

Ernesto Valverde was delighted to see Athletic Club fight back and win three "very valuable" points against Real Oviedo at the Carlos Tartiere.

Despite being a goal down at half-time, the Lions produced a vital second-half comeback thanks to a Mikel Jauregizar stunner and an Oihan Sancet penalty.

“You could feel the tension," Valverde said post-match. "These are three very valuable points given what was at stake.

"The first half wasn't our best and they were on top. We had to go all out in the second half and we adopted a more competitive attitude. In the end, we got the result."

Athletic, in ninth place at the moment, now have 31 points and are closing in on the European qualification places, with sixth-placed RCD Espanyol just four points ahead.

The victory over Real Oviedo a second consecutive triumph in LaLiga for Los Leones, but Valverde is looking up the table just yet, reiterating the need to keep winning matches.

He continued: "The most urgent thing is to get points, and we need to play well and have the right attitude to do so. Results are a consequence of how we play.

"We're in a difficult situation because the teams behind us are pushing hard. We have to beat Elche on Friday."