Athletic return after 28 days at Mestalla vs Valencia

Athletic Club return to competition after 28 days without playing: their last match was at San Mamés against Alavés, and before that the trip to Vallecas vs Rayo was postponed after only 13 minutes due to objects thrown onto the pitch.

Tonight at Mestalla, the visitors face Valencia aiming to land their third league win. They already beat Celta in Balaídos (0-1) and Atlético at home, and want to claw back points dropped at San Mamés, where they have lost seven.

Terzic’s side are sitting near the bottom with just 5 points from 24 (one win, two draws and five defeats), and the club has changed manager: Javier Aguirre replaces Carlos Corberán and will coach at Mestalla for the first time. The Athletic’s plan is to exploit Valencia’s recent slump.

In their latest Vallecas game, Terzic lined up with Unai Simón in goal, Areso, Yeray, Paredes and Yuri in defence; Gere and Galarreta midfield; and Robert Navarro, Canales and Berenguer supporting Iñaki Williams up front. Laporte missed the Rayo match to manage his workload after playing three full international matches; the staff will now see if he can start. Aguirre is without Foulquier, Copete and Sadiq. Athletic also still have two postponed fixtures: the one vs Levante next Wednesday and the Vallecas game with no set date yet.