Valencia: Diego Alves; Barragán, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gayà; André Gomes, Javi Fuego; Feghouli (Carles Gil 81‘), Rodrigo, Piatti (Negredo 69‘); Paco Alcácer. 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, Etxeita, Laporte, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Mikel Rico; Unai López (Ibai Gómez 53’), De Marcos, Viguera (Kike Sola 78’); Guillermo (Beñat 39’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals: None.
Yellow cards: Balenziaga 71’, Iturraspe 77’.
Valencia could only draw 0-0 against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening, the Ches dropping behind Barcelona to third in the table by the end of the weekend. The locals were unable to find the route to goal despite creating several chances in the first half, Rodrigo, Paco Alcácer and Andrés Gomes all shooting wide and Piatti coming up against Iraizoz. De Marcos could have given the visitors the lead though shortly before the interval had he been able to get a looping header on target with Diego Alves off his line. The second half opened with Rodrigo heading wide, but even with Negredo on the park the chances dried up, and Athletic went close with a couple of long free kicks later on, Javi Fuego almost heading Ibai’s kick in to his own net and Etxeita seeing his shot hit Alves in the face from close up in the dying minutes. The result extends the Basque side’s unbeaten run in the league to four games, and gives them a boost of confidence after they were knocked out of the Champions League midweek.