Ernesto Valverde has confessed Celta Vigo were ‘clearly superior’ to his Athletic Bilbao on Monday night, despite the victory for the Basques.
Iago Aspas gave Celta the lead at San Mames nine minutes into the second half and the Galicians looked on course for victory until Facundo Roncaglia’s red card and Aritz Aduriz’s penalty eight minutes from time, before substitute Mikel San Jose won the match in added time for the hosts.
“Clearly Celta were better for much of the game, we did not play to our standard,” admitted Valverde after the match.
“We made many errors, we were poor in set-pieces and we were hustled off the ball too easily, but that is not just the fault of us – that was also due to the good play and hard work of the opposition.
“To win is tremendous as there are many games like this in a season where you can win or lose when you don’t deserve it.”
Athletic rise into 7th above Eibar while Celta Vigo stay 13th.
