Paulista: "We are growing and competing better all the time"

Gabriel Paulista scored a second half equaliser against Athletic Club at San Mamés, and the defender spoke to VCF Media after the fulltime whistle to give his thoughts on the result and the performance.

A positive point

"I think that we have to celebrate this big point. We know that it is very difficult to come to this ground, especially when they have a new coach who we know how he likes to play. They have a lot of very good players with which to do that. I think that we are growing and we are competing better all the time. I think that today we showed that we can compete against any side. We had a good first half, and it's a pity that we went behind to an own goal. We continued in the same way in the second half, looking to attack the opposition goal, and we managed to pull level."

Scoring from a set piece

"We work very thoroughly on set pieces. What you always work on comes through in games. It's important to work every week. I'm happy about my goal and to being able to help my team. Getting a point here is important. Now I'm going to rest up and celebrate the point and goal with my family. They suffer when I suffer on the pitch, and now it's time to celebrate with them."

Turning attention to the game against Real Madrid

"I'm happy with my goal and with how the group are doing. We're improving with every game, and we have to continue like this. We have another difficult game coming up against Real Madrid. We are going to rest well, work hard and si if we can have a good game -looking for the three points."