Athletic Bilbao welcomed Valencia to San Mames on Sunday with the two sides occupying sixth and seventh spot respectively in La Liga at the start of play.
The away side had the better of the chances in the first period, but they had to wait until the 43rd minute to take the lead as Ever Banega scored from the penalty spot.
However, Bilbao were level 15 minutes from time when Mikel Rico converted from close range after good work from Oscar de Marcos.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from San Mames as Bilbao welcome an in-form Valencia side. It has been an encouraging start to the season for Bilbao, but they have been inconsistent in the last month with two wins and three defeats in their last five matches.
Valencia, meanwhile, had a torrid start to the season, with boss Mirsolav Djukic under serious pressure from the supporters. However, their form has turned in the last few weeks with three wins over Sevilla, Granada and Rayo Vallecano. Another three points this evening would surely put their troubles behind them.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Valencia have won three of the last five, with Bilbao also winning once and the other match ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-0 win for Bilbao, but Valencia were 3-2 winners in the Mestalla in October 2012.
TEAMS:
ATHLETIC BILBAO: Iraizoz; Iraola, Gurpegi, Laporte, Saborit; Rico, Benat, Susaeta, Herrera; Muniain, De Marcos
VALENCIA: Guaita; Barragan, R. Costa, Mathieu, Guardado; Fuego, Banega; Feghouli, Jonas, Pabon; Alcacer
So there we have it. No Aduriz in the Bilbao XI this evening, but Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos both start. Meanwhile, there are also roles for Mikel Rico and Susaeta. Valencia leave Fede on the bench, but young striker Francisco Alcacer does come in to lead their line at the expense of Helder Postiga. Right, the home side get the action underway at San Mames.
Fascinating encounter at San Mames this evening between two sides in good form. It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. It has been a bright start from Bilbao with the likes of Benat and Herrera seeing plenty of the ball in the opening moments.
Good early pressure from the home side as Herrera finds Muniain, whose deep cross into the box is met by Rico, but his header is blocked by Mathieu. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Not too much from Valencia in the opening moments, who have young striker Paco Alcacer leading their line this evening.
Returns to the Valencia XI for Guardado and Feghouli this evening, with the pair forced to sit out of the team in the opening weeks of the season. It has been Bilbao that have dominated thus far, however, as a wicked cross from Susaeta comes close to finding De Marcos, but he slices his effort wide of the post. Plenty for the home supporters to be excited about thus far.
First sign of Pabon down the Valencia right as the Colombian shows Iraola a clean pair of heels, but the right-back does manage to clear at the vital moment. Just a few signs that the away side are starting to get to grips with proceedings as Jonas rolls a low pass to Alcacer inside the box, but Laporte manages to clear the danger.
Valencia have managed to quieten the early atmosphere inside the stadium as they continue to enjoy good possession in the Bilbao half. Jonas is once more the threat as he dances into the Bilbao box, but he is just challenged at the final moment. Bilbao attempt to break with Muniain moments later, but the Spaniard asks too much of De Marcos with a through ball beyond Mathieu.
Another half-chance for the home side as Iraola moves forward from defence before finding De Marcos, but he can only curl his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments with Benat and Herrera seeing plenty of the ball. However, we are still waiting for the first real chance with 13 minutes on the clock at San Mames as De Marcos heads into the arms of Guaita.
Bilbao continue to force the issue as they gain two corners in quick succession. However, the first is headed behind his own crossbar by Costa before Herrera's low effort is blocked by Fuego. Valencia attempt to break down the other end with Jonas, but the Brazilian is chopped down in his prime. Good tempo to the match with 15 minutes on the clock.
It isn't quite happening in the final third for Valencia at the moment with Alcacer an isolated presence in attack. Jonas and Banega have both attempted to find the Spaniard in the last couple of moments, but the Bilbao defence have been on hand to quell the danger. Down the other end Susaeta gains a free kick in a wide area after being chopped down by the Mexican Guardado.
The resulting free kick is whipped into the Valencia box by Benat, but Saborit turns over the crossbar from close range. One-way traffic as Bilbao continue to force the issue in the final third. Valencia just need to get the likes of Pabon and Feghouli into the match in wide areas. Still goalless with 19 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side moments later as Gurpegi meets a cross from Benat, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Slight problem for Saborit moments later as the Bilbao defender catches one in the face from Feghouli, which draws blood and gains the Valencia midfielder a yellow card in the process.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Valencia have been more active in the final third in the last minute or two, but Alcacer is still struggling for possession in advanced areas. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock at San Mames.
It's good work from Jonas as the Brazilian finds some space inside the Bilbao box before driving a low cross towards Pabon, but Iraizoz manages to collect at the vital moment. The Bilbao stopper attempts to release Muniain down the other end, but he runs into a number of white shirts. Still we await the first real opportunity of the match.
Again it's bright work from the away side as Barragan drives down the left for Valencia, but he is chopped down by Saborit, who gains a yellow card in the process. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Banega, but Fuego can only fire high and wide of the crossbar following a period of pin-ball inside the box.
Bilbao are just struggling to keep the ball at the moment, with Valencia pressing deep in the home side's half. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. In truth, neither side has come close to opening the scoring thus far with little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
CHANCE! It's brilliant feet from Jonas as the Brazilian turns outside the box before attempting to curl his effort into the top corner, but Iraizoz is across to make a fine save. Valencia are turning the screw as the second period continues to gather pace. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment.
Just a reminder that Bilbao currently sit in sixth spot in the table, but would move into fifth with all three points. Valencia, meanwhile, who sit seventh, would move above their opponents with all the points. Half-chance for Bilbao as Benat strikes an effort from the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the target.
Another half-chance for the away side as Guardado whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Alcacer cannot make proper contact and it moves onto the arms of Iraizoz. Bilbao, meanwhile, continue to struggle for invention in the final third. It would not be a surprise to see Ernesto Valverde alter proceedings at the interval.
The pressure continues from Valencia as Feghouli delivers a wonderful cross into the Bilbao box, but there are no takers. Banega continues to control the middle of the park as he picks out another pass towards Pabon, but the Colombian loses possession at the vital moment. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
Again it is really impressive football from the away side as Pabon is found by Alcacer down the left, but his cross is straight into the arms of the Bilbao stopper. It brings boos from the home supporters with their side really struggling to match the intensity of their opponents.
PENALTY TO VALENCIA!
Valencia are awarded a penalty as Laporte fells Feghouli inside the box. Easy decision from the referee. What a chance for the away side to take the lead in the final moments of the first period.
GOAL! Bilbao 0-1 Valencia (Banega)
Banega silences the stadium as he thumps his penalty into the top corner. Just stunning from the Argentine. In truth, they deserve it.
Good response from the home side as Susaeta strikes one from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the first period and we are indeed into the first of those.
HALF TIME: Bilbao 0-1 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Valencia leading courtesy of a penalty from Banega late in the first period. In truth, it is no more than they deserve. Bilbao have had their moments, but they have not offered too much in terms of a threat in the final third.
STATISTICS: Bilbao have had more of the possession with 52%, while they have had six attempts to Valencia's four. That said, the away side have been the more potent with a number of Bilbao's efforts coming from distance. The referee has been forced to issue four yellow cards, meanwhile, following a number of late challenges in the first period.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Aduriz, Iturraspe and Toquero, but they are without the influential Ibai Gomez. Valencia, meanwhile, have the likes of Sergio Canales, Jaume Domenech and Fede in reserve. Plenty of attacking talent on both benches this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands Valencia will move into fifth spot in the table, above Bilbao. However, there is still a lot of football to be played this evening. Valencia get the second 45 minutes underway at San Mames.
One change for Bilbao at the interval with Aduriz entering the field in place of Herrera. Not too sure whether that is an injury or a tactical change. Bright start to the second period from Jonas as the Brazilian collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Iraizoz is across to make the save.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this type of match. You would fancy Bilbao if they levelled, but another goal for Valencia would make them firm favourites. End-to-end football in the early stages of the half with both sides prepared to commit players to each attack.
Half-chance for the home side as Benat collects a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Aduriz has been bright in the early stages of the half with a couple of neat touches inside the Valencia box, but the away side continue to defend impressively. Muniain has a strike from distance moments later, but Guaita is on hand to collect.
Bilbao have just started to raise their performance in the last couple of moments with Muniain full of energy down the left, but Valencia have been nice and compact in defence thus far. Whistles inside the stadium as the away side keep hold of possession for an extended period, but they are finding it more difficult to break through in the final third.
CHANCE! Jonas once more brings the best out of Iraizoz as the Valencia forward's effort is pushed wide of the post by the Bilbao stopper. He has looked the most likely for the away side in the second period. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at San Mames.
We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about making changes. Bilbao introduced Aduriz at the interval, but they still have Toquero on the bench. Valencia, meanwhile, have a number of players that could freshen their attack. Half-chance for Valencia midfielder Barragan moments later, but he can only lift his effort over the crossbar.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments with Valencia comfortable in possession of the ball. In truth, it has become slightly flat after a bright start to the second period. However, it does appear that Bilbao are preparing to make their second change of the match. They are in need of some inspiration.
CHANCE! Aduriz comes close to levelling as the Bilbao striker turns inside the Valencia box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Bilbao make their second change of the match moments later as Benat is replaced by Iturraspe. Strange one for me.
Still no movement on the Valencia bench, but I expect that to change in the next five minutes or so. It looked the type of match that could be decided by the odd goal and that is proving the case thus far. However, there is still plenty of time for that to change. Can Bilbao find some inspiration?
Bilbao are attempting to force the issue in the wide positions with Muniain and Susaeta both involved, but the quality of the final pass has been poor this evening. Valencia have not been too active in the final third in the second period, but they are keeping hold of the possession, which is all that is needed with little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Feghouli to score Valencia's second as he meets a deep cross from Pabon, but he can only plant his header high and wide of the crossbar. He just had to score. Still no movement on the Valencia bench, but it would not be a surprise to see the likes of Canales or Romeu introduced to freshen up their midfield.
POST! Suddenly the match has burst into life as Muniain dances into the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort smashes against the foot of the post. Surely this game will not end 1-0.
Valencia do indeed make a change moments later as Postiga replaces Alcacer. Bilbao follow with a change of their own as Muniain is replaced by Toquero, who is a real favourite with the home supporters. Valencia remain in the lead with little over 15 minutes of football to play at San Mames.
Second change for Valencia as Canales replaces Pabon, who has run his socks off this evening. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. You just get the feeling that there will be some sort of late drama this evening.
GOAL! Bilbao 1-1 Valencia (Rico)
Bilbao have their equaliser as Rico taps a De Marcos header into the back of the net from close range. Just what the home supporters wanted. There is certainly time for a winner at San Mames.
The attendance has been confirmed at little under 37,000 this evening and the majority of those inside the stadium are hopeful that Bilbao can turn this one around in the final 10 minutes. Valencia are under serious pressure at the moment as the home side continue to drive deep crosses into the box.
Valencia make their third and final change of the evening as Victor Ruiz replaces Barragan as Dukic attempts to hold onto the point. Still Bilbao continue to force the issue as Susaeta whips a cross towards Aduriz, but Mathieu manages to clear for a corner.
Half-chance for Postiga as the Valencia striker meets a cross from Canales, but he can only plant his header over the crossbar. End-to-end football as De Marcos's presence rushes Guaita into a sliced clearance. Little over five minutes of football remaining at San Mames. Is there to be a winner?
Half-chance for Bilbao as Gurpegi meets a cross from De Marcos, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Aduriz has another sight of goal moments later, but Mathieu is across to make a fine challenge. Only one team wants to win this at the moment there is no question about that.
Again De Marcos is a threat for the home side as he drives past two challenges before firing a low cross into the box, but Costa is on hand to make the clearance at the vital moment. Susaeta finds Saborit moments later, who delivers a low cross into the box, but the Valencia goalkeeper is on hand to collect once more.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Valencia have just managed to quell some of the pressure in the last couple of moments with a spell of possession, but you fancy Bilbao to have one more go, if they can get the ball.
FULL TIME: Bilbao 1-1 Valencia
So there we have it. Valencia hold on to secure a share of the spoils with Bilbao. The result keeps the home side in sixth position, while Valencia remain seventh. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
