Ernesto Valverde commented on former club Valencia’s credentials in taking a point from his Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.
Los Che recorded a 1-1 draw at San Mames, having taken the lead through Ever Banega’s penalty, before Mikel Rico rescued a point for Athletic.
“It was a tough game, as we had predicted, because Valencia are a great team,” Valverde mused of his former employers afterwards.
“The first half was even. I do not think that we deserved to go in at the break 0-1. That goal hurt us, then we have suffered, but we managed to draw level and the end of the match was in our favour.
“We must give the opponent the merit. We must assume that our opponent can play and that they are able to hurt us.
“Valencia have some outstanding players and a good Coach, they will stay up with no doubt.
“To win every day in San Mames is difficult.”
Valverde notably started with a strikerless formation, before bringing on Aritz Aduriz at half-time and then Gaizka Toquero in the second half.
“It was an idea that I had been working on for a while.”
