Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Valencia CF (Copa QF)

Athletic Club take on Valencia at Mestalla in the 2022/23 Copa quarter-finals (20:00 CET). Los Rojiblancos will be looking to avenge last season's semi-final defeat at the same stadium.

On that occasion, the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at San Mamés and Valencia went through to the final after winning 1-0 at home.

This season, Los Leones and the Chés have already met once, on LaLiga Matchday 2 at San Mamés, Athletic claiming a 1-0 victory thanks to an Alex Berenguer strike.

Match Info
Valencia CF vs Athletic Club

Mestalla (Valencia)

Copa del Rey 2022/23 (Quarter-finals)

Thursday January 26, 20:00 CET

Kick-off Times
Check out our global TV guide to make sure you don't miss the match.

Team News
Ernesto Valverde has named a 24-man squad for the Copa quarter-final. Centre-back Iñigo Martínez remains sidelined with a heel injury.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with what the gaffer had to say.

The Opponents

Founded on 18 March 1919, Valencia CF are the fourth most decorated Spanish side in terms of European silverware (with seven titles), while their complete haul of 23 trophies makes Los Che the fifth most successful LaLiga outfit: six league titles, eight Copas del Rey, one Spanish Super Cup, one Eva Duarte Cup, one UEFA Cup, two Fairs Cups, two European Super Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and one Intertoto Cup. 

What's more, the Valencians have twice been finalists in the Champions League, being runners-up in 2000 and 2001.

Gennaro Gattuso's side received a bye in the first two rounds of the competition due to taking part in in the Spanish Super Cup. They beat CF La Nucía 0-3 in the round of 32 and Real Sporting Gijón 0-4 in the round of 16.

Previous Meetings
The two sides have met 14 times before in this competition, with Athletic winning five, drawing three and losing six. A testament to what this trophy means to both clubs, they have faced off in the final on four occasions (1943/44, 1944/45, 1948/49 and 1966/67) with each side emerging victorious twice.

In terms of LaLiga 22/23 fixtures, Valencia have already visited Bilbao this season, a 42nd-minute Alex Berenguer strike ensuring the Lions took all three points.