Athletic Club - Valencia CF

Athletic Club now have their first win of the season. The Lions defeated Valencia CF 1-0 at San Mamés, in a match in which they overpowered Rubén Baraja's side.

The visitors barely troubled Julen Agirrezabala, while a great Beñat Prados header, his first goal as Lion, was enough to see Athletic pick up all three points.

Ernesto Valverde made several changes to the team that faced FC Barcelona, starting Mikel Jauregizar and handing debuts to Adama Boiro and Álvaro Djaló. And the gamble paid off. 

Iñaki Williams and Oihan Sancet carried the Lions forward and Athletic seemed to have rediscovered the same fight they showed all last season. Iñaki almost scored the first. The no.9 attempted to lob Giorgio Mamardashvili but his effort hit the crossbar.

Athletic had two more clear-cut chances before the goal arrived. Iñaki got a head to a rebound from a Gorka Guruzeta shot, but Mamardashvili tipped it over the bar with an acrobatic save.

In the 32nd minute, Sancet played in the elder Williams, whose back pass found Guruzeta, but the striker's shot was blocked by the Georgian.

The goal came on the stroke of half-time. Oscar de Marcos' whipped cross found Prados, who powered a header past Mamardashvili.

Valverde shuffled his pack in the second half, first with Nico Williams, who had the best chance to make it 2-0, and then a triple substitution, giving Javier Martón his debut. 

A solid defensive performance meant Agirrezabala didn't face a single shot. All in all, a solid three points to kickstart the campaign.

There's still plenty more in store this week. On Friday we have the Europa League draw and on Saturday we host Atlético Madrid at San Mames.