Llorente demands more from Athletic

Fernando Llorente insisted Athletic Club Bilbao must lift their game in the return against CD Nacional after the striker helped Los Leones to a 2-1 UEFA Europa League victory against their Portuguese counterparts.

Mindset change
Speaking after scoring Athletic's winning goal at a rain-soaked San Mamés, Spanish international forward Llorente stated a change in mentality had brought about the victory after going behind to Rúben Micael's 42nd-minute opener. "We didn't start well at all," the 24-year-old said. "Turning this game around meant we needed to come out with a completely different mentality in the second half and to take more control of the game."

Improvements needed
Joseba Etxeberria began the fightback for Athletic when his 67th-minute equaliser arrived after Llorente's powerful header was parried into his path by goalkeeper Rafael Bracali. From then on the hosts dominated and they eventually sealed the win that left them one point behind group leaders Werder Bremen and five ahead of bottom-side Nacional in the Group L standings. "There were times we forged decent openings, but couldn't capitalise on good opportunities," Llorente said. "We must improve on that side of our game. We knew we needed to keep hold of the ball in the second half and we did that. We wanted to turn the game on its head."

Return mission
Opposition midfielder Nejc Pečnik, meanwhile, suggested a larger slice of fortune could have seen his side emerge with at least a point. "In the first half we didn't leave them too much space and so they didn't have any clear chances," the Slovenian told uefa.com. "In the second half we weren't so lucky and we conceded two goals. I don't think they were better than us but in the end they won. We will play Athletic Club at home [on 5 November] and if we win anything is possible."