Match Pack: Granada CF vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD16)

After progressing in the Copa, Athletic are back in LaLiga action. Ernesto Valverde's Lions travel to Andalusia to take on 19th-placed Granada CF.

The Zurigorri will be looking to stretch their unbeaten league run to six games, while the Nazaríes are in desperate need of a win having only picked up one victory so far this season.

Match Info
Granada CF vs Athletic Club

Nuevo Los Carmenes, Granada

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 16)

Sunday December 10, 16:15 CET

How to Watch
A complete TV guide with global channels and kick-off times for the fixture.

Team News
Valverde is taking a 23-man squad to Andalusia.

Yeray Álvarez, Dani García and Mikel Vesga are joined by Adu Ares in the treatment room.

Mikel Jauregizar, who made his debut against CD Cayón midweek, and Aingeru Olabarrieta have been called up from Bilbao Athletic as cover.

Valverde's Comments
The gaffer wants to see Los Leones maintain their good form with another competitive display.

Catch up with everything he had to say in his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Alexander Medina

Fresh in the job, the Uruguyuan coach took over from Paco López at the end of November. This is Medina's first stint in Europe, having previously led Nacional, Talleres de Córdoba, Internacional and Vélez Sarsfield in South America.

One to watch: Bryan Zaragoza

The Bayern Munich-bound forward is level on goals scored with Myrto Uzuni, but five goals in 14 appearances, compated to Uzuni's five in 15 matches.

Born in Málaga, the winger joined Granada's youth set-up in 2019/20, making his senior debut in 2021. His impressive performances for the Nazaries have turned heads in Europe earning him a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as a well as a first international cap for Spain.

Recent form: LLDLL

Previous Meetings
Athletic and Granada have faced off 52 times in LaLiga, with their first clash a 1-3 away win for Athletic in 1941/42.  Los Leones have recorded 26 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses against the Andalusian outfit.

When it comes to fixture played in Granada, the Zurigorri have managed six victories, nine draws and 11 defeats.

Our last five visits to the historic city prove how difficult an away day it is for the Lions. One victory and four losses in LaLiga.

Los Rojiblancos's most recent win at the Nuevo Los Carmenes came in the 2016/17 season, Raúl García and Aymeric Laporte scoring either side of a Mehdi Carcela strike to ensure Athletic brought all three points back to Bilbao.