Match Report: Away Loss to Athletic Club (1-0) | OneFootball

Valencia CF travelled up north to take on Athletic Club in midweek on Wednesday, the 28th of August, at 7:00 p.m. kick-off time (CET) at the Nuevo San Mamés on Matchday 3 of LaLiga EA Sports.

The game saw an even but frantic start, with both sides trying to earn a foothold in the early goings of the game at the Nuevo San Mamés. Alas, shortly after, Valencia CF were pegged back by Athletic Club, who were taking the game to the opposition over the quarter-hour mark.

Giorgi Mamardashvili produced heroics to deny Iñaki Williams with a superb fingertip save, palming the ball over the crossbar to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

The game continued to see frantic end-to-end spells, with Giorgi Mamardashvili as Valencia CF's wall between the sticks. Chances were few and far between at the other end for Valencia CF, who struggled to keep possession and make inroads in the way of danger.

Valencia CF enjoyed a few forays forward in the latter stages of the first half. Alas, the hosts put themselves in front on the stroke of half-time through Beñat Prados.

Valencia CF trailed Athletic Club 1-0 at the intermission.

The second half followed the same script, with Valencia CF struggling to bring menace up front and settle into the game, while the home side looked comfortable, making their 1-0 lead pay early in the second stanza.

Valencia CF stayed in the game largely thanks to Mamardashvili’s stops for the remainder of the second half; alas, they came away empty-handed with nothing to show for it but a narrow 1-0 away defeat at the Estadio Nuevo San Mamés in Bilbao.

Valencia CF will welcome Villarreal CF on Saturday, the 31st of August, at Mestalla at 9:30 p.m. kick-off time (CET) in the regional derby, yet another must-win game on Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports.

ATHLETIC CLUB: Agirrezabala, De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Adama (Lekue, 79‘), Jauregizar, Beñat Prados (Martón, 71’), Iñaki Williams, Djaló (Nico Williams, 58‘), Sancet (Unai Gómez, 70’) and Guruzeta (Vesga, 70').

VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Foulquier, César Tárrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Jesús Vázquez (Thierry R, 89‘), Pepelu (Javi Guerra, 82’), Hugo Guillamón, Diego López (Martín Tejón, 81‘), Luis Rioja, Hugo Duro (Dani Gómez, 89’) and Rafa Mir (André Almeida, 59').