Koeman reveals his team is growing, and are playing better

Koeman notes that Barca have improved defensively and the coach is glad that the Catalans have more home games in February.

The Dutchman adds that the squad has got a good mentality.

"The team is growing, we are playing better. We have become more stable defensively," Ronald Koeman said after the Athletic Bilbao win.

"February will be a tough period again but we will have more home games and that's totally different from playing eight or nine games out of 11 away from home.

"Travelling, coming back late in the night, and with only two days to recover for the next match, that's totally different. But the team's confidence is high, we are mentally in a good place and we need to continue that."

Following the home win over Bilbao, Barcelona currently sit in second place in La Liga, tied on points with Real Madrid but with a better goal difference. Atletico Madrid are league leaders with a 10-point advantage and one game in hand.