Ernesto Valverde has claimed that Zilina's 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League playoffs on Thursday came via “two robberies”.
Los Leones appeared to be cruising into the group stage ahead of next week's second leg after they took a 2-0 lead in Slovakia, only for their opponents to launch a surprise comeback in the final 25 minutes, rounded off by a 94th-minute winner.
“In the first half, we were better than them, and in the second we had the game in our hands, but their first goal encouraged them,” the Coach said after the game.
“[Zilina came back into the game via] two robberies [and got the winner after] we went forward for a winner.
"When they were 2-0 down, we should've taken more risks and looked for a third goal.
“For their first two goals, we were a bit lazy because they were two losses when if we got to the area we had many options to score" he explained.
“The defeat frustrates me because we'd given a good account of ourselves in the game.
“It leaves a bad taste in our mouths, but this is football. These things happen so we must look ahead.
“We'll play with intensity [in the second leg] at San Mames because [Zilina] play away like they do at home, so we'll go for it.”
