Match Report: Home loss to Athletic Club (1-2)

Valencia CF took on Athletic Club on Saturday the 11th of February at 9 pm kick-off time at Mestalla on Matchday 21 of LaLiga.   

Valencia CF had a slow start to the game with Athletic Club pressing high up while Valencia CF tried to get a foothold in the game in the first few minutes at Mestalla.  

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Edinson Cavani who rose highest to meet José Luis Gayà's delivery from the left-hand side but his header went wide of the post in the 8th minute of the first half.  

Valencia CF were forced into an injury substitution over the quarter-hour mark. However, minutes later, Samu Castillejo passed the ball into the back of the net as Illaix Moriba and Samu Lino linked up, his namesake got to the by-line and delivered a fine return ball into Samu Castillejo who passed the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring for Valencia CF.  

Hugo Duro went for a forceful acrobatic effort which went off target halfway through the first half.   

The advantage was short-lived as Nico Williams made it 1-1 on the half-hour mark against the run of play.   

Valencia CF kept dominating the game despite the setback trying to get back in front and they nearly did as Samuel Lino came mighty close to scoring but he was denied by Unai Simón in the closing stages.   

 The first half finished 1-1 with all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF had a nervy start to the closing half with the opposition dictating possession in the opening minutes of the second half.  

The first Valencia CF chance fell to Samu Castillejo who volleyed the ball goalwards from outside the 18-yard box but Unai Simón pulled off a reaction save to deny him the brace five minutes into the first half.    

Valencia CF settled into the game on the hour mark. Yunus Musah tried his luck from long range, but his drive dragged wide of the post.  

Valencia CF were forced into another injury substitution and Voro made a double change over the midway point of the second half with Samu Castillejo and Yunus Musah making way for Justin Kluivert and Toni Lato respectively.  

Alas, Sancet made it 1-2 right after the substitution. Valencia CF refused to back down and kept on having attempts on goal through Hugo Duro and Ilaix Moriba. 

Valencia CF kept on pushing for a late equaliser coming close through Diakhaby and relentless deliveries into the box. Alas, Valencia CF fell to yet another frustrating home loss by a 1-2 scoreline.

Match Details:

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, Diakhaby, Cömert, Gayà, Ilaix Moriba, André Almeida, Yunus Musah (Toni Lato, 68’), Samu Castillejo (Justin Kluivert, 68’), Samuel Lino (Fran Pérez, 86’) and Cavani (Hugo Duro, 16’).

2. ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón, De Marcos (Paredes, 88’), Vivian, Yeray, Lekue, Sancet, Vesga, Muniain (Guruzeta, 79’), Nico Williams (Dani García, 79’), Berenguer (Zarraga, 46’) y Raúl García (Iñaki Williams, 60’).

GOAL: 1-0 Samu Castillejo, 17’; 1-1 Nico Williams, 30’; 1-2 Sancet, 72’.

REFEREE: Soto Grado (C. Riojano). Booked a Hugo Duro, Nico Williams, Samuel Lino, De Marcos, Samu Castillejo,

VAR: González González (C. Castellano-Leonés).

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 21 of LaLiga held at Mestalla. A minute’s silence was observed before kickoff for all those who have lost their lives or been affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria