Athletic return to La Liga with a goalless draw against Valencia

Athletic returned to La Liga with another goalless draw, this time against Valencia. The Basque side was back in a competitive match 28 days after ending its previous league outing with the same score against Alavés at San Mamés. It let slip an opportunity created by a first half in which it performed better than its opponent.

Athletic had the upper hand over Valencia before the break, and one of its players stood out. The team could not turn that advantage into a goal. The trip to Valencia also differed from the one to Vallecas: Athletic had more of the ball than during its time on the pitch against Rayo. A week earlier, the match in Vallecas had been stopped after only 13 minutes of play.

The second half was more even, with Valencia showing greater intensity than it had at the start. Athletic also had to deal with Guruzeta’s injury, which affected the team emotionally, as well as fatigue. At half-time, Terzic made another change in midfield, bringing on Jauregizar for Gerenabarrena. Rego made his La Liga debut as a substitute.

The league return came after a spell in which Terzic had also led the team in the Euskal Herria Txapela final against Real, losing 1-0. Paredes was the only defender retained in the starting line-up against Valencia.

The draw leaves Athletic ninth on 9 points after 7 matches, while Valencia are 19th with 6 points after 9 games. The sides are separated by 3 points. Athletic have 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in La Liga, with 7 goals scored and 6 conceded; Valencia have 1 win, 3 draws and 5 defeats, with 6 scored and 15 conceded. Across their last five league matches, Athletic have won twice, compared with one victory for Valencia.