Athletic: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Balenziaga; Mikel Rico (Viguera 71‘), San José; Iñaki Williams, Unai López (Beñat 55‘), Ibai Gómez (Susaeta 71‘); Aduríz. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Diego Alves; Barragán, Mustafi, Otamendi, Lucas Orbán; Javi Fuego, André Gomes; Feghouli, Rodrigo (Cancelo 85’), Piatti (De Paul 27’); Paco Alcácer (Negredo 71’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 61. De Paul. Fired shot past Iraizoz after Alcácer stepped over Rodrigo pass.
1-1. 90. Aduríz. From close up after Mustafi deflected Viguera shot on to post.
Yellow cards: Balenziaga 10’, Aduríz 32’, Andrés Gomes 36’, Gurpegui 80’, Beñat 80’, Iraizoz 83’, Diego Alves 83’, Barragán 85’ / red cards: Otamendi 82’.
Fourth placed Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday evening, and the Ches end the midweek round of games three points behind Atlético and only a point above Sevilla. There were few chances in a tense first half, Iraizoz spilling a long shot from Alcácer and Williams hitting the side netting at the other end following a corner. A few minutes in to the second half however Diego Alves had to save a header from Etxeita, and Otamendi cleared another header from Aduríz off the line with the keeper beaten. But with an hour on the clock De Paul opened the scoring for Nuno’s side after Alcácer stepped over Rodrigo’s pass, and only a couple of good saves by Iraizoz prevented Rodrigo from adding to the lead. With eight minutes to go though Otamendi was sent off by referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes for a high tackle on San José, and in the last minute of the match Aduríz levelled the scores after Mustafi deflected a shot by Viguera onto the post, Texeira waving away claims by the visitors for offside.