Match Report: VCF fight back to earn a point against Athletic Club (2-2)

Valencia CF welcomed Athletic Club on Saturday the 12th of December in a rare lunchtime kick-off at 2pm (local time) at Mestalla stadium on matchday 13 of LaLiga Santander.

Valencia CF had a quiet start to the game being put on the back foot by the visitors who were dictating play in the opening minutes of the match at Mestalla.

However, Maxi Gómez set up Uroš Račić who rattled the post halfway through the first half and two minutes later, Maxi Gómez was brought down inside the box by Dani García. The referee awarded the spot-kick, up stepped Carlos Soler sending the keeper the wrong way dispatching the ball into the bottom-right corner past Unai Simón to give Valencia CF the breakthrough.

Athletic Club tried to get back into the game with an immediate reply at the other end through successive chances by Iker Muñain which was turned behind for a corner and then through Yuri who forced Jaume into as save.

Minutes later, Gonçalo Guedes tried to catch out the keeper off the left-wing over the half-hour mark after a great Uroš Račić ball into the Portuguese.

Carlos Soler had the final kick of the half for Valencia with a follow-up shot off Daniel Wass’effort and the first half finished 1-0 at Mestalla.

The second half saw a similar start with the away side dominating in terms of chances and possession with Valencia CF having to work in defence.

Iñaki Williams had a goal disallowed for offside but moments later, Asier Villalibre made it 1-1 only nine minutes into the second half with the visitors dominating as Valencia CF trying to find a foothold.

The first Valencia CF chance in the second half fell to Maxi Gómez who got on the end of a delightful Carlos Soler free-kick delivery his header blazed over the bar.

Things took a turn for the worst when the visitors for the worse when Athletic Club were awarded a spot-kick against Uroš Račić. Raúl García made 1-2 to Athletic Club from twelve yards out despite Jaume Doménech got  a touch on it, alas he could not keep it out.

The Basque side’s joy was short-lived as Manú Vallejo made it 2-2 with an easy header at the back post following a corner kick delivery only three minutes later.

Manu Vallejo came close to scoring following a smart Carlos Soler backheeled layoff but the Cadiz-born effort whistled over the crossbar unfortunately, the scoreline remained unchanged and the points were shared for a second successive week.

Valencia CF will visit Terrasa FC in midweek in their Copa del Rey debut at the Estadio Olímpico on the 16th of December at 7 pm kick-off time in a single knockout tie format.

Match Details:

2. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass (Thierry Correia, 70’), Gabriel Paulista, Diakhaby, Lato, Racic, Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah (Cheryshev, 60’), Guedes (Jason, 70’), Manu Vallejo and Maxi Gómez.

2. Athletic Club: Unai Simón, Capa (De Marcos, 67’), Yeray, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri Berchiche, Vesga (Unai López, 46’), Dani García, Muniain (Unai Núñez, 84’), Williams, Berenguer, Villalibre (Raúl García, 78’).

Goals: 1-0 Carlos Soler (p.), 25’; 1-1 Villalibre, 54’; 1-2 Raúl García (p.) 79’; 2-2 Manu Vallejo, 82’.

Referee:  Carlos Del Cerro Grande booked Vesga, Maxi Gómez, Dani García, Unai López, Yeray and Álex Berenguer.

Observations: Matchday 13 of LaLiga Santander played at Mestalla.