Match Report: Stalemate against Athletic Club (1-1)

Valencia CF welcomed Athletic Club on Saturday the 25th of September at Mestalla at 4:15 pm kick-off time on Matchday 7 of LaLiga.

The first Valencia CF chance came on the quarter-hour mark following a fine Yunus Musah solo move down the right-hand side. He dribbled past a few players and tried to beat Unai Simón with a powerful drive alas, Unai Simon kept it out going down low.

The opposition tried to break the deadlock through Iñaki Williams, but his headed goal was disallowed for offside.

Valencia CF grew into the game and tried it again through a Maxi Gómez effort but Unai Simón denied the Uruguayan.

The rest of the half played out with nothing to separate the sides at halftime and all to play for in the second half.

Valencia CF emerged in the second half looking to break the deadlock and they almost did straight after the restart through Daniel Wass who rattled the upright.

Minutes later, Omar Alderete tried his luck with a headed effort as Valencia CF were having a solid defensive performance with Gabriel Paulista at the heart of the Valencia CF defence and trying to break through Gonçalo Guedes. Alas, Athletic Club got themselves in front though Iñigo Martínez over the hour mark.

After the opposition's goal, substitute Marcos André came mighty close to equalising with a chipped effort that whistled over the crossbar.  

Valencia CF kept on pushing but things took a turn for the worst, as Maxi Gómez was sent off for a double booking.

However, Valencia CF did not back down and found a hard fought last gasp equaliser through Marcos André who opened his Valencia CF account in dramatic fashion to salvage a hard-earned draw right at the death.    

  Match Details:

1. VALENCIA CF: Cillessen, Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Omar Alderete, Toni Lato (Jesús Vázquez, 69’), Hugo Guillamón, Wass (Manu Vallejo, 84’), Yunus Musah (Jason, 83’), Hugo Duro (Marcos André, 69’), Guedes and Maxi Gómez.

1. ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón, Lekue, Vivian, Iñigo Martínez, Balenziaga (De Marcos, 53’), Vencedor (Vesga, 79’), Dani García, Berenguer, Muniain (Nico Williams, 56’), Raúl García (Serrano, 79’) and Iñaki Williams.

GOALS: 0-1 Iñigo Martínez, 69’. 1-1 Marcos André, 94'.

REFEREE: Hernández Hernández. Booked Hugo Guillamón, Dani García, Berenguer, Jason and sent off Maxi Gómez for a double booking.

VAR: González González.

OBSERVATIONS: Matchday 7 of LaLiga Santander held at Mestalla.