Ernesto Valverde: “Real Madrid Were Better Than Us”

Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde offered a candid and composed assessment after his team fell 0–3 to Real Madrid at San Mamés.

“We didn’t want this result, but we have to acknowledge the merits of our opponent,” Valverde began. “Real Madrid were better than us and now we have to play another game. We’ve bounced back before.”

Madrid’s early dominance set the tone. The opener, Valverde admitted, dealt a psychological blow and sparked a destabilizing stretch for his team.

“The first goal hurt us and we had a very bad spell without coordination in our pressing, which hurt us,” he explained. “We overcame it with two chances for Guruzeta and especially Courtois’ save from Berenguer. They also had a clear opportunity. The shame was conceding the second goal before halftime.”

Athletic’s attempts to push higher and duel Madrid physically were repeatedly punished by the visitors’ explosiveness in transition. Valverde highlighted the gap in athleticism and precision—qualities Madrid used to tilt the match firmly in their favor.

“Their quality and physical strength have been the difference. That’s what the big teams in Europe have. They anticipate, they’re fast, they have power… We were adjusting, but we couldn’t give them space because Mbappé or Vinicius, with their speed, could score,” he said. “They’re very precise, and we play with risk, which might work against other teams, but not against this one.”

The Athletic manager also lamented the moments where his players faltered in possession—mistakes that Madrid ruthlessly exploited.

“It’s to their credit,” he continued. “We made mistakes, and they punished any inaccuracy, while we had two turnovers that we couldn’t convert. Generally, they’re going to have more chances, and it’s a matter of accuracy. Their play in space in the first half hurt us a lot.”