Match Pack: Real Valladolid CF vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD26)

A Friday-night shift for the Lions. Athletic Club are taking on Real Valladolid CF at the José Zorrilla Stadium. Los Rojiblancos are desperate to get back on track and move up the table towards the fight for European qualification.

Ernesto Valverde's men go into the weekend ninth in the table with 33 points - five points off sixth-placed Villarreal CF - while Real Valladolid are 14th with 28 points, just two points away from the relegation zone.

Match Info
Real Valladolid vs Athletic Club (Matchday 26)

José Zorrilla (Valladolid)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Friday March 17, 21:00 CET

How to Watch
When and where to watch Friday's match with our global TV guide.

Team News
Valverde has named a 21-man squad for the clash

Unai Simón, Ander Herrera, Iñigo Lekue and Jon Morcillo are out injured, while Oihan Sancet is back after serving a one-match ban for the red card he received against Rayo Vallecano.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with everything the gaffer had to say ahead of the clash

The Opponents

Head coach: Pacheta

The 54-year-old head coach took over at the José Zorrilla in June 2021, leading them to a second place finish in LaLiga Smartbank and automatic promotion to LaLiga.

One to watch: Cyle Larin

The Canadian forward recently joined Valladolid on loan from Belgian side Club Brugge. Larin started his career at local side Sigma FC before joining MLS outift Orlando City in 2015, his performanes turned heads in Europe and in 2018 he moved to Beskitas.

At the beginning of this season Larin was signed by Club Brugge, but after struggling for form he loaned to Valladolid, where he has hit the ground running with four goals in seven appearances. The 27-year-old also has scored 25 goal from his 58 caps for the Canadian national team.

Recent form (LaLiga): DLLWD

La Pucela have one win, two draws and two defeats from their last five LaLiga matches. What's more, they've shown they are difficult to beat at home with a record of six wins, two draws and four losses from their 12 matches at Jose Zorrilla, compared to two victories, two draws and nine defeats on the road.

Previous Meetings
Real Valladolid CF have played Athletic 91 times in LaLiga since their first meeting back in 1941/42. Since then the Lions have registered 40 wins, 26 draws and 25 defeats.

Traditionally, Athletic Club have struggled on their visit to Valladolid. Of the 45 matches played at the Jose Zorrilla, the Lions have only emerged victorious on nine occasions, while they have drawn 14 matches and seen defeat in the other 22.

The Zurigorri's last five trips to the Jose Zorrilla have resulted in two victories, two defeats and a draw. Athletic's last win in Valladolid, during the 2019/20 season, came just before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world and, subsequently, LaLiga to a standstill.

This season's return fixture in Bilbao saw the Lions record a 3-0 win, with a Gorka Guruzeta brace and a thunderous Dani Vivian header securing all three points for Athletic.