Match Pack: Valencia CF vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD21)

Athletic Club take on Valencia CF at Mestalla in LaLiga Matchday 21, a classic fixture in this competition. This is the 178th time the two sides have faced off in the top-flight.

Los Rojiblancos, in high spirits and on a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, will lock horns with one of LaLiga's form teams in the shape of Valencia. Ruben Baraja has built a young and brave side, who will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about after being recently knocked out of the Copa by RC Celta.

Match Info
Valencia CF vs Athletic Club

Mestalla, Valencia

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 21)

Saturday January 20, 18:30 CET

How to Watch
A complete guide with kick-off times and LaLiga broadcasters around the world

Team News
Valverde named a 24 for the clash in Valencia

Dani García remains sidelined, Oscar de Marcos is out with a thigh problem and Iñaki Williams is away on international duty with Ghana.

Young midfielder Mikel Jauregizar keeps his place in the squad, while Bilbao Athletic right-back Hugo Rincón has also been called up as cover.

Valverde's Comments
The boss reiterated that the Lions must take things one match at a time and concentrate on facing Valencia before turning their attentions to the Copa tie against Barça in Bilbao.

Catch up with what he had to say at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Rubén Baraja

An all-action midfielder in his playing days, Baraja made 361 appearances for Valencia between 2000 and 2010. His managerial career has been more nomadic. He got his first top job in 2015/16, taking over at Elche CF. Since then he has also led Rayo Vallecano, Sporting Gijón, CD Tenerife and Real Zaragoza.

Valencia brought in Rubén halfway through last season with Los Ché in 18th place. They secured survival on the final day of the season.

Top goalscorer: Hugo Duro

With eight goals in 20 appearances, the centre-forward has already bettered his previous best figures in LaLiga. A product of Getafe CF's academy, Duro made his debut for the Madrid-based outfit in 2017/18. After a brief loan spell at Real Madrid in which he turned out for Castilla, the striker then moved on loan to Valencia in 2021/22 with the deal being made permanent at the end of that season.

Recent form: LDWWW

Previous Meetings
Our first LaLiga clash against Los Che dates back to the 1931/32 campaign, a 0-0 draw at Mestalla. With the exception of the 1986/87 season, the two sides have met every year since.

In total we've played each other 177 times in LaLiga, with the Lions recording 64 victories, 46 draws and 67 defeats.

The Mestalla has traditionally been a tough away day for the Zurigorri. From 88 matches, we've managed 14 wins, 24 draws and 50 losses.

Our form in Valencia has improved in recent times. Los Leones have lost just once in their last five visits to the coastal city, while also recording two draws and two wins.

The corresponding fixture last season saw the Zurigorri come from a goal down to take all three points back to Bilbao. Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet were on the scoresheet for Athletic.