Athletic Club's turbulent season took another blow on Sunday as they fell 1-0 to Valencia at San Mamés, marking their 17th La Liga defeat. Manager Ernesto Valverde did not mince words afterward, describing the decisive goal as stemming from an 'absurd situation' in the second half. The loss came just days after a vital win over Alavés, highlighting the team's inconsistency.
Valencia, despite being second-best for long periods, capitalized on one of their few clear opportunities. Valverde noted that his team controlled the game but lacked final product: 'We dominate the matches but the opponent doesn't need much to get things done. They defended well and had two very clear chances, including a penalty and a well-taken goal.' The Athletic coach lamented his side's inability to break down a compact defense.
Before kickoff, San Mamés paid tribute to Valverde with a ceremony acknowledging his long service to the club. The coach admitted being moved by the gesture but wished the result had been different. 'For me the tribute was emotional, but in situations like this it seems like you've won something. The season isn't over and we have objectives to achieve,' he said, urging his players to refocus.
One of the match's notable moments was the early substitution of defender Aymeric Laporte. Valverde confirmed the change was tactical and disciplinary: 'He had a yellow card and some discussion with the referee. I saw that we could become unbalanced there. I talked with him and decided to make the change.' The substitution underscored Valverde's desire to maintain composure on the pitch.
Valverde described this campaign as the most challenging in his tenure: 'At Athletic, it's the hardest and toughest, without a doubt. It's not over yet and we have matches ahead and we must continue.' The defeat leaves Athletic in mid-table, but with the relegation battle extremely tight, they cannot afford to relax. The coach noted the chaos from mid-table downward: 'From the middle downwards there is madness because nobody knows what will happen.'
Although Champions League qualification is not mathematically impossible, Valverde recognized the growing difficulty: 'Before the match I thought we could reach the Champions League. It's my obligation to look at the numbers. But I also have to look the other way and be prepared for everything.' He stressed that the team's primary problem has been an inability to convert draws into wins: 'If we don't win, we don't draw either.'
The coach dismissed any thoughts of the season ending soon: 'I don't allow myself or anyone to say that because that's a symptom of giving up. We have to fight to the end to win matches.' He called for increased intensity, especially given the high stakes in the final matches.
Athletic's lack of precision in front of goal has been a recurring theme. Valverde admitted: 'We always try to push and reach the goal. But they have hurt us too much for how much they arrived.' The team must find a way to turn dominance into goals if they hope to salvage a European spot.
With only a handful of games left, Athletic face a must-win situation. The 'absurd' nature of this defeat, as Valverde called it, may serve as a wake-up call. Fans will hope the tribute to their coach can inspire a turnaround, but the immediate priority is securing points.
Valverde's post-match assessment painted a picture of a team struggling with consistency but led by a determined manager. The season's defining moments lie ahead, and Athletic must show resilience.
Based on reporting from Marca.