Ernesto Valverde admitted that Athletic Club’s 0-0 draw against CA Osasuna on Sunday afternoon was “a very difficult game” for the Zurigorri, who are still fighting to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season.
Los Rojillos switched to a five-at-the-back formation that left Athletic Club frustrated, and on the rare occasion that they did manage to penetrate the visitors’ defence, they were halted by Aitor Fernández who put in a solid shift against his former club.
CA Osasuna, who are working to avoid being dragged into a battle of their own at the other end of the LaLiga table, “defended well. It wasn’t a very fluid game; there were a lot of fouls. We missed that fluidity, because of good work on their part but derbies are like that.”
“We took a point when we wanted to take all three, but we have to keep moving forwards. We’ve got to take advantage in situations like this. There’s so little between the teams now, and we’re lucky to be in the position we’re in,” the 61-year-old expressed.
Next weekend’s match against Villarreal is a must-win clash for Valverde’s side. El Submarí Groguet have a game in hand over their Basque opponents, who they trail by just six points in the race to secure UCL participation in 2025/26.
“We’ve got to keep going,” he said.