"The season isn't over yet, there's still a lot at stake"

"The season isn't over yet. There are teams below us and we need to win a match as soon as possible", said Ernesto Valverde in the press room at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, following Athletic's 3-2 defeat to Atlético de Madrid. The Lions took the lead in the first half thanks to a header from Paredes, but were eventually overtaken by an Atlético de Madrid side that also needed the win.

"Of course it hurts, although we can take some positives from today. We stood up to them, but it just wasn’t to be. Last week we won an important match and we wanted to build on that. There’s still a lot at stake and we mustn’t write off the season", warned the manager, aware that he has a chance to turn the situation around. That moment comes this very Saturday (18:30 CEST) against Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza: "It’s a crucial match for us".