The visitors came into this clash in ninth, having failed to score in their last three games across all competitions, and 14th-placed Valladolid - in their first season back in Spain’s top flight - had netted the joint-fewest in the league this campaign along with bottom side Elche. That being said, the Blanquivioletas do now have a real outlet in the form of January arrival Cyle Larin on loan from Club Brugge, but the Canada international failed to anticipate Óscar Plano’s cross early on, while Kike Pérez saw his initial shot blocked by team-mate Javi Sánchez before the midfielder fired over on the follow-up. At the other end, Iñaki Williams produced a cut-back for the returning Oihan Sancet, but the 22-year-old could only divert the ball into Asenjo’s grateful hands. It was Sancet though who played a pivotal part in the contest’s opener after half an hour when he was brought down on the edge of the box, resulting in a free-kick that Martínez stepped up to fire in via a sizeable deflection off Plano.
Athletic started on the front foot after the break with I. Williams delivering inviting balls across, only for brother Nico and Oihan Sancet to fluff their lines. However, Ernesto Valverde’s men kept their foot on the accelerator, and although Gorka Guruzeta was denied by the sliding challenge of Joaquín Fernández, the striker slid in at the back post moments later to convert Óscar De Marcos’ cross. It was Guruzeta’s sixth goal this term, but his third against Valladolid, having scored twice in the reverse fixture - a 3-0 win. The deficit was halved when Sergi León looked to have conceded possession deep in Athletic territory, only for Dani García to lose his footing. Larin was alive to the situation, and despite being thwarted by Julen Agirrezabala, the 27-year-old tucked home the rebound for his fifth goal in his new colours.
Just when it looked like we could be in for a grandstand finish, Athletic’s two-goal cushion was quickly restored. Nico Williams’ shot struck the hand of Fernández, with Mikel Vesga slotting in from 12 yards, before he and I. Williams had chances to add to the Lions’ lead, the closest of which bounced off the post from the goalscorer. The win leaves Athletic in seventh, two points off the European places.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
