Valverde: “Nico is a treasure”

Ernesto Valverde will appreciate the first victory of the season in Europe after drawing on the first day in Rome. “It was a great game from my point of view. The importance and desire to experience a European match was evident in the atmosphere. The team responded well, we found our rhythm, even if sometimes in a hurry. It was it was difficult for us to open up their defense. This is an important win, we appreciate it because of the opponent we faced,” said the red and white coach.

Nico Williams He starred in two plays of the goals scored by his brother and Sancet in the late game. Txingurri is also extreme. “I’m a little slower than Nicoas I remember,” he joked. “He is insurance for us, he charges the opponent with a card, he always perseveres in one-on-one, he is brave and always looked forward to. For us that is worth a lot having the rest of the players accompany him,” he added.

Navarrese has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or and is already a world-class footballer. Valverde He recognized it, but he also wanted to highlight other football players. “Yes, but no. Nico He is a player of a very high level, I can also say the same about Galarretta, Sancet, Iñaki, Berenguer…That’s true Nico He is special, he has speed and capacity that overflows like no other. It is a treasure, but we give it normality, we parade all those Ballon d’Or things. After winning the Euro Cup there is a layer that must be cleared up, if he focuses on the game we see what he is capable of, helping us a lot,” he acknowledged.

The coach also analyzed the game: “For me the first twenty minutes of the first half were some of the best. Then, as the first half progressed, the intention to go for the game betrayed us and we were in a hurry, we wanted to get at the top. At half-time, we talked about calming down a bit because we had losses and we were holding the game more together. “It cost us a lot.”

The team lacked composure in the first half. “There was a moment when we lacked a pause in the game, but that’s how we are, we have to admit those things. If we can calm down and speed up, well, you know, we’ll fight for the League. “We are what we are with our virtues and defects,” he said.

Athletic have added four points out of a possible six in the first two Europa League games, a good scenario to put their place on track for the round of 16: “Yes, it’s a good scenario. Being a short competition, every time you get a bite in the standings it means a lot. We’re happy with how we did it and for tonight’s live in San Mamés, the public is clearly hooked.”