Valverde: Athletic lacked seniority

Ernesto Valverde accused Athletic Bilbao of going missing after their 5-4 Europa League elimination at the hands of Torino in the last 32 on Thursday.

Despite taking a 2-2 draw into their home leg against the Serie A outfit, the Basques went a goal down through Fabio Quagliarella’s early penalty, although Andoni Iraola pulled one back for his side on the stroke of half-time.

However, Maxi Lopez’s goal deep in the first-half stoppages, coupled with Matteo Darmian’s winner, cancelled out a second Athletic equaliser and meant the Granata became the first Italian team to win at San Mames.

“We were always at a disadvantage, and when we took a favourable lead [in the tie] we failed to protect it,” the Coach lamented to reporters after his team’s 3-2 defeat.

“At 1-1 we lacked the nerve to go into half-time with the lead. We lacked seniority.

“At San Mames, we always go forward but there was a time [in the match] when weren’t in control.

“[My decision to switch to three centre-backs] was not related to our defensive mistakes, rather it had a positive influence [on us].

“We must now get up quickly and prepare for both the huge League match on Sunday against Eibar and the second leg of our Copa [del Rey] semi-final on Wednesday against Espanyol

“We have to focus because we have a lot [at stake]. It’s nice to win, but we must now face reality and start focusing on Eibar.

“We’re tired, and when you lose you become more tired but we have to recover and try to win because when you win, everything feels lighter.”

Tags Ernesto Valverde Torino
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