Match Report: VCF claim a point away at Athletic Club (1-1)

Valencia CF headed up north visit Athletic Club on Saturday the 7th of February at 4:15 pm kick-off time at the Nuevo San Mamés in the Basque Country on Matchday 22 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF were put on the back foot in the early stages of the game with the Basque side dominating possession while Valencia CF were looking to hit Athletic Club on the counter-attack at every opportunity.  

The game opened up over the 10-minute mark with Valencia venturing forward more and enjoying more of the ball and shaking off the hosts’ early pressure.  The first Valencia CF chance fell to Maxi Gómez following a positive link-up play between Thierry Correia and Gonçalo Guedes but his volley blazed just wide of the target.

Moments later, Maxi Gómez got on the end of a Thierry Correia cross but could not quite guide his glancing header on target over the halfway mark in the first half as Valencia CF were growing into the game.

 José Luis Gayà tried his luck following a quick switch of play down the left-hand side. Valencia CF continued to probe in possession.

There was a cruel twist to the opening half when Athletic Club got themselves in front on the stroke of half following a hapless Hugo Guillamón own goal. Valencia CF trailed Athletic Club by 1-0 at the interval.

The same scrip followed in the second half. The home side on the front foot and arriving in the Valencia CF box. Jaume Domènech produced a magnificent double save to Sancet point-blank range effort.

Valencia CF responded at the other end through Daniel Wass’ powerful header which grazed the top of the crossbar. Valencia CF grew offensively and enjoyed further chances through Thierry Correia on the volley and Maxi Gomez’ header both going begging.

 Javi Gracia made a double substitution over the hour mark introducing Yunus Musah and debutant loanee Patrick Cutrone over the hour mark at the new San Mamés.    

Gabriel Paulista restored parity with an absolute towering bullet of a header back across and inside the far post past Unai Simón following a Carlos Soler corner kick delivery on 66 minutes of the game.

The game opened up and became an end to end contest with both sides looking for the winning goal. Patrick Cutrone came close to putting Valencia CF in front following a blistering counter-attack  but his effort fizzed just wide of the post.

 Uroš Račić tried his luck minutes later with a follow-up shot which had to be reviewed by VAR for a suspicion of a handball in the process. The game remained unchanged with nothing to separate the sides at full-time.

Valencia CF will travel to the Spanish capital to visit Real Madrid CF on Sunday 14th of February at the Alfredo di Stefano at 4:15 pm kick-off time on Matchday 23 of LaLiga Santander.  

Match Details:

1. Athletic Club: Unai Simón, Capa (Lekue, 74’), Unai Núñez, Iñigo Martínez, Balenziaga (Berchiche, 75’), Dani García, Unai Vencedor (Vesga, 69’), Berenguer, Morcillo (De Marcos, 69’), Sancet (Unai López, 66’) and Iñaki Williams.

1. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà, Racic, Carlos Soler, Wass (Yunus Musah, 65’), Guedes (Álex Blanco, 90’), Manu Vallejo (Patrick Cutrone, 65’) and Maxi Gómez.

Goals: 0-1 Hugo Guillamón (og), 44’; 1-1 Gabriel Paulista, 65’.

Referee: Munuera Montero. Booked Álex Berenguer, Iñigo Martínez and Carlos Soler.

Observations: Matchday 22 of LaLiga held at the Nuevo San Mamés, Bilbao. A minute’s silence was held ahead of kick-off in memory of late Athletic Club player, Fernando Elguea.