Samu Costa, Javi Llarbes, Jagoba Arrasate and Martin Valjent reflected on our 2-1 defeat to Athletic Bilbao. Find out what the boss and our players had to say below:
Samu Costa:
On the match: We played well from the first goal onwards and we played well, but we lost. We have to work hard and talk things through. We can't lose, we have to get out of this situation.
On his feeling: I'm comfortable, it's just that we lost. We're playing well, with confidence, but if you lose, you go home with zero points and we have to win, that's all there is to it.
On the international break: We have to improve everything. We're a team that fits well together, and we have to understand that this isn't an easy time and it's up to us. There's still a long way to go, and we can't complain about anything. We each have to look in the mirror because we're all in this together. It's not just one person or another. It's all of us, and we have to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.
Javi Llabrés:
On the defeat: It's always tough here, we were in the game until the end and managed to equalise. We did the hardest part and then they scored their second goal straight away. We did have a few chances to equalise again, but it wasn't to be.
On the second half performance: We were better at the start of the second half, we had a lot of chances and that helped us grow during the match. We competed and came very close to getting something positive here. Now it's time to rest and recharge our batteries during the break so we can come back strong.
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the result: It's a tough blow because I think we started the match very poorly and Athletic deservedly took the lead. But then we felt like we were growing into the game, especially in the second half. We did things better, we got the equaliser, and just when we were at our best, we didn't defend well, which ultimately left us without any points, and that's painful.
On the first goal: We made it easy for them, and in the end, when you let Athletic prowl around the area, all the strategic situations come down to second balls, and that's where the penalty came from. I think we deserve more credit for that start. Then we did improve, but in the Premier League, to score points and win, we need to play well for 90 minutes.
On the second half: We need to improve a little bit today. We know what the reality of the table is, but rather than looking at that, we need to focus on improving. The other day we won the match, and today, after a bad start, I think we recovered. The team showed until the end that it has spirit, character and, at times, good football. That is our future, our present and our future, and we have to work on that now.
On the break: It's true that you're racking your brains a lot now, especially because the last result was bad. But we have fewer internationals than last time, we're going to work better, and let's see if we can get some injured players back too. Now we have to try to face the next set of matches with the improvement we can make after these two weeks.
Martin Valjent:
On the match: The first 15/20 minutes were superior in terms of duels and early plays, producing many chances, especially inside our area, which were very dangerous. Then, through our play and by stepping up the intensity, we got back into the game and played much better in the second half: the match evened out, we found the equaliser and tried to do everything possible to take the point home. I think the team competed hard on this pitch, which is always very difficult, but we're leaving empty-handed. However, I think the team gave it their all, which is the right approach, and we must continue to improve.
On the goal: The feeling was that we could have done more. When you play against this type of opponent, you can't afford to give anything away, and in the end, we came away with nothing. There isn't much time, but we do need to improve, because if you want to win, you have to give your best.
On the break: The players who are injured will leave, the rest of us have to analyse, reflect, be self-critical, and find things to improve. And in two weeks against Sevilla, we have to get a positive result because we really need it.
On 250 matches: I value it immensely, I feel very privileged, very proud. I am grateful for the people with whom I can share my day-to-day life, from match number one until now. But for me personally, this 250th match serves as food for thought: I have to give more, help more. In the first 30 minutes today, I wasn't at my best, and there are many matches in which I have to push myself to always be better.