Ernesto Valverde lamented Athletic Bilbao’s excessive “costly mistakes” after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Sporting Gijon in La Liga.
Goals from Duje Cop and Victor Rodriguez in a three-minute spell at the start of the second half condemned Athletic to an opening-day loss, and Valverde admitted his side could have done without the result, given champions Barcelona are next up.
“We made too many costly mistakes, especially in the second half,” the Coach said after the game.
“The key to the game was the two goals we conceded in three minutes at the start of the second half.
“I always expect the team to have the attitude we showed in the first half. The mistakes we made weren’t normal.
“Starting the season with a defeat has a price because it forces you to make up the ground you lost on the opening day, plus we face Barcelona on Sunday, but we’ll be up for it.
“Our [desired] game would be without the first 15 minutes of the second half. We came to win.”
