Athletic Bilbao have the upper hand entering the second leg of their Champions League play-off with Napoli, but manager Ernesto Valverde says he "hoped for something more" than a draw in the away leg.
Athletic held the Serie A giants 1-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday and return home with an edge on away goals.
Iker Muniain gave Athletic the lead four minutes before the break and Napoli hit back through Gonzalo Higuain, but Valverde said the Basque club missed an opportunity to grab a convincing advantage.
"We had hoped for something more, as we played the first 70 minutes very well. We conceded that Higuain goal and Napoli created more chances after that," Valverde told Sky Sport Italia.
Napoli enter the second leg needing either a victory or a draw of at least 2-2 or more to advance to the group stage.
"I think it is probably the right result and we'll see what happens in the second leg," Valverde said. "We don't know if Muniain's goal will make the difference, but clearly Napoli have to score in Bilbao.
"We played a very intense game tonight and it will all go down to the second leg."
Napoli boss Rafa Benitez complained that his side were "two weeks behind" in preseason training and rued his side's missed chances.
"Athletic Bilbao are an intense side who work hard, but at the start we had two or three great scoring opportunities. We didn't, and with their intensity Athletic took control," Benitez said.
"Considering the way the game went, we can consider our reaction positive and must begin again from that."
Still, Benitez said the Azzurri have enough firepower to rally past Athletic in the second leg.
"Athletic will certainly go out there to win, which means they want to score and so do we. I have confidence, of course it won't be easy, but today we proved with five or six scoring opportunities that we can hurt them."
A frustrated Higuain said the prospect of missing out on the Champions League proper is not an option for a club of Napoli's status.
"The truth is I don't feel like talking right now," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I want to rest and focus on the next game."
"Napoli have to play in the Champions League and we'll have to prepare well for the next match. We have to go there to win and Napoli have to do it, as we have the team to achieve this."
Benitez said he was sure Higuain could channel his annoyance into a strong performance in next week's return leg.
"Higuain is angry, like everyone, as we expected a tough game and to win it. At least it means he'll put even more determination and anger into the second leg," the manager said.
