Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Valencia CF (LaLiga MD2)

Athletic Club are straight back at it with a second consecutive home match at San Mamés, this time taking on Gennaro Gattuso’s Valencia CF in their LaLiga Matchday 2 fixture

The Lions managed a 0-0 draw in the season opener against RCD Mallorca and will be hoping to build on that with a victory this Sunday.

What’s more, Bilbao will be in a party mood, with Aste Nagusia – the city’s annual festive celebrations – kicking off on Saturday night.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Valencia CF (Matchday 2)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 22-23

Sunday August 21, 17:30 CEST

How to Watch

We’ve put together a list of TV channels and kick-off times around the world to help make sure you don’t miss the match!

Team News

Unai Simón, Iru, Morcillo, Vivian, Yeray, Vesga, Berenguer, O. Sancet, I. Williams, Muniain, N. Williams, Guruzeta, Dani García, I. Lekue, Vencedor, Yuri B., De Marcos, Zarraga, Villalibre, Capa, Raúl García, Nolaskoain & Paredes. 

Valverde's comments

Find out more about what the Gaffer had to say during his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Gennaro Gattuso

A combative midfielder in his playing days, Gattuso spent most of his career at AC Milan, winning a host of trophies for club and country, including: Serie A (2003/04, 2010/11), Copa Italia (2002/03), the Champions League (2002/03, 2006/07) and the World Cup (2006).

Despite being just 44 years old, the Italian already has an extensive managerial resumé, having led FC Sion (Switzerland), Palermo FC, OFI Crete FC (Greece), Pisa, AC Milan and Napoli before taking over at Los Ché this summer.

New signings: 

Valencia have not been too busy so this transfer window, with most of their business consisting of free transfers and loans. 

Winger Samu Castillejo has arrived on a free from AC Milan, while Samuel Lino and Nico González are on loan from Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona, respectively.

Recent form:

Gattuso side got their LaLiga campaign off to a winning start, defeating recently promoted Girona 1-0 on their first outing of the 22/23 season.

Valencia had a strong pre-season. From their six fixtures, they beat Dortmund (1-3), St. Gallen (0-2) and Atalanta (2-1), drew against Nottingham Forest (1-1) and lost to VfB Stuttgart (5-2) and Castellón (1-0).

Previous Meetings
Since the clubs' first LaLiga meeting all the way back in 1931/32 Athletic and Valencia CF have played a total of 174 top-flight matches, with 62 wins, 45 draws and 67 defeats for the Lions.

In terms of matches played at The Cathedral, Athletic have a very good track record with 49 wins, 21 draws and 17 defeats.

Los Rojiblancos have struggled to get the better of Los Che during their last five encounters in Bilbao, with Athletic registering one defeat and four draws. Although it is also true that Los Leones deserved more in several of those encounters.

Last season's edition saw Ricardo Bochini pick up his 2021 One-Club Man Award during an eventful 0-0 draw. Athletic had the upper hand throughout the fixture but could not find a way beyond Valencia's Georgian goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvilli. Iñaki Williams twice went close to scoring while Asier Villalibre hit the woodwork with a 94th-minute header.