Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Valencia CF (LaLiga MD11)

LaLiga action returns to San Mames with Athletic Club set to take on Valencia CF for their Matchday 11 fixture in Bilbao. The Lions suffered a hard-fought 1-0 loss against FC Barcelona last week, but Ernesto Valverde's Lions will be keen to get back to winning ways and pick up an important three points in the race for European football.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Valencia CF

San Mames, Bilbao

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 11)

Sunday October 29, 18:30 CET

How to Watch
Find out when and where to watch Sunday's LaLiga EA Sports clash

Team News
Valverde has named a 23-man squad for the clash in Bilbao.

Yeray Álvarez, Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera are all in the treatment room.

Peru Nolaskoain and Mikel Vesga are back from injury while defender Unai Egiluz has been called up from Bilbao Athletic as cover.

Valverde's Comments
The boss said he wants to see Athletic impose their style at The Cathedral, while warning Valencia would have learned their lessons from last year.

The Opponents

Head coach: Rubén Baraja

A tough-tackling midfielder in his playing days, Baraja spent the majority of his professional career at Valencia. From joining the club in 2000 to his final season in 2010, he won two LaLiga titles, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Cup and a UEFA Super Cup.

After hanging up his boots he became assistant manager at Atlético Madrid (a club he had played for earlier in his career) before moving back to Valencia and working in their academy system for a few years. His first steps into proper management came with Elche CF in 2015/16. Since then he has been in the dugout at Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijón, CD Tenerife and Real Zaragoza.

Rubén took over at Mestalla in February last season with the side in 18th place. A run on six wins, four draws and seven losses in 17 matches saw Los Che climb up to 14th place, two points above the drop zone.

Top goalscorer: Hugo Duro

Some hard-working, combative performances have seen the forward become a fan favourite at Mestalla. The 23-year-old striker came up through the youth system at Getafe CF, making his LaLiga debut in March 2018. He spent as season on loan at Real Madrid, most playing for Castilla but making a couple of appearances for the senior side.

Duro initially joined Valencia on loan in the 2021/22 campaign, with the deal being made permanent at the end of the season. So far this term, he has scored four goals in 10 matches, his most recent strike coming in last week's 2-0 win over Cádiz CF.

Recent form: DLLDW

A solid start to 2023/24 has left Valencia in eighth place after the first 10 fixtures. So far Los Che have picked up four wins, two draws and four defeats.

Previous Meetings
A LaLiga classic, this fixture has taken place almost every single year since the first clash back in 1931/32. From 176 meetings, Athletic have registered, 64 victories, 45 draws and 67 losses.

The Zurigorri have a strong home record against Los Che, with 50 wins, 21 draws and 17 defeats.

Our last five clashes in Bilbao reflect the even nature of the match-up. We've had a win apiece and three draws.

Alex Berenguer got the winning goal as Los Leones beat Valencia CF 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season.