
- Home
- Teams
- Athletic Club
- 2025-26
- Villarreal CF - Athletic Club
Villarreal CF - Athletic Club


- 77' A. Moleiro
LocationEstadio de la Cerámica , Vila-real
18,908 spectators
Tough defeat at La Ceramica
Athletic Club lose in Villarreal thanks to a goal from Moleiro in a match where they had chances to score

Athletic Club lost at La Ceramica thanks to a goal from Moleiro (1-0), in a match in which Ernesto Valverde's side had plenty of chances to score. A shot from Rego that hit the crossbar in the final stages was the icing on the cake in a match in which, unfortunately, Mikel Vesga was injured after coming on as a substitute.
Facing a much superior opponent, the Lions suffered a similar fate to that at Mestalla. They dominated the first half, well supported by Unai Simón with a couple of saves, and the Zurigorris enjoyed a clear double chance from Sancet, in which Junior miraculously got his foot in just as the goal was about to be scored.
Pepé was a threat, but so was Guruzeta after a great team move. Even the lively Lekue made a confident run into the box. Athletic had possession.
However, Villarreal grew into the game after the break with a more direct style of play. Pepé and Rafa Marín had chances, and on the third attempt, in the 76th minute, Moleiro scored after a loose ball in the box.
There wasn't much energy left, but Rego's powerful shot hit the woodwork. It was a tough defeat, but there is no time to rest as the exciting challenge of Dortmund awaits with the great red-and-white tide.
Starting XI

Júnior R.
Mouriño
Rafa Marín
Renato Veiga
S. Cardona
I. Akhomach
T. Partey
Gueye
Solomon
Pepe
Mikautadze
Substitutes
Diego Conde
Arnau Tenas
A. Alti
Parejo
Santi C. V.
Buchanan
A. Moleiro
Oluwaseyi
A. Pedraza
J. Ives Valou
Head coach
Marcelino García Toral

Villarreal CF
Starting XI
