Valencia CF - Athletic Club

Athletic Club drew 2-2 with Valencia CF at Mestalla. The lions mounted an impressive second-half comeback to overturn Carlos Soler’s early penalty and take a 1-2 lead. However, with eight minutes left, Manu Vallejo scored a header from a set-piece to ensure both teams took a point each.

Once again the smallest of margins would decide the outcome of a match for Gaizka Garitano’s side. Athletic went behind in the 24th minute, Carlos Soler converting from the spot after the referee gave a penalty for a foul on Maxi Gómez in the box.

The lions focused the majority of their attacks down the flanks, with full-backs Ander Capa and Yuri looking for heads in the box with their crosses. Yuri managed to overcome his previous issues and completed a full game whilst putting in a great performance.

In fact, it was the left-back who came closest to scoring for Athletic in the first half, his powerful shot inside the box parried away by Jaume Domenech.

The lions went up a gear after the restart, coming back out determined to stage a comeback. Unai López was brought off the bench at the break and was very lively, his long-distance effort was pushed into the path of Iñaki Williams by Domenech, the striker hit the back of the net but was judged offside.

The lions kept edging closer to the equaliser and it inevitably arrived. Yuri drove to the byline before cutting the ball across the goalface, where it was delicately tucked away by Asier Villalibre, the striker grabbing his second goal in a second start.

Now Athletic had the bit between their teeth. Berenguer tried to curl one in and then Iker Muniain drew a foul from Racic inside the box to win a penalty for his team. Raúl García, only recently off the bench, stepped up and converted with a well-struck shot.

With thirteen minutes left, Athletic were in the lead. But they conceded from an indirect free-kick and lost two points.

The lions have no time to feel sorry for themselves, they’ll look for a quick reaction on Tuesday as they face Real Madrid at Valdebebas, the perfect stage to get a positive result.