Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde is remaining positive despite seeing his slide slump to just above the relegation zone.
Los Leones have won once in five games so far this season, losing four, yet after seeing his team lose yet again, this time 2-1 to Rayo Vallecano, the 50-year-old says he is remaining upbeat about the situation.
“We’ve only won one game in five and perhaps a draw here would have been a fairer result, but I’ve no doubt that despite the defeats we must continue to look forward,” he told reporters.
Aritz Aduriz gave the Basques the lead on 20 minutes only for a Leo Baptista double to put paid to their chances, his second goal coming one minute from the end of normal time.
“It was an equal game. We were better in the first half and Rayo were better in the second. I thought it was heading for a draw but we committed an error and paid for it,” lamented Valverde, who addressed the current state of affairs.
“We have a good squad but I’m not going to deny the reality of it. The table does not look good so we must fight as if we were at the bottom, so the next few games are vital.
“But I’m optimistic we can turn things around. When all goes well it seems so simple but now we must take a step forward and change the mood,” he added.
