Athletic Club and Valencia Battle for Crucial Points at San Mamés. In Bilbao, Athletic Club and Valencia face off in a decisive LaLiga EA Sports match. Both clubs pursue different objectives: one fights for European qualification, the other for top-flight survival. Lineups and tactics have been adjusted after setbacks in previous rounds.
Today in Bilbao, one of the most intense matches of LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 35 takes place: Athletic Club hosts Valencia at San Mamés Stadium. Kick-off is at 16:15 local time. For both teams, this match could be decisive: the hosts are aiming to secure their place in the European competition zone, while the visitors from Valencia are fighting to avoid getting dangerously close to the relegation zone.
The standings have become more tense after recent results. Valencia is now just one step away from the relegation zone and needs to earn points to keep their chances of staying in La Liga alive. Athletic Club, on the other hand, is competing for seventh place, which could grant a spot in European tournaments. According to RUSSPAIN, the home team's coaching staff made changes to the starting lineup after the loss to Atlético: Cömert, Diego López, and Hugo Duro will start, while Ramazani and Sadiq remain on the bench as potential reinforcements during the match.
The teams' tactical approaches have also changed. Athletic Club has chosen a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guruzeta leading the attack, focusing on ball possession and quick transitions. Valencia, meanwhile, lines up with two forwards—Javi Guerra and Hugo Duro—in a 4-4-2 system, aiming for tight play in midfield and fast counterattacks. The main referee is Ortiz Arias, while González Francés will oversee the VAR system.
Ahead of the match, fans are focused not only on the battle for points but also on the relegation intrigue at the bottom of the table. As the recent round showed, when Levante snatched victory in the final minutes and intensified the situation among the outsiders, the gap between teams in the danger zone is minimal. Read more about how the tight fight for survival is shaping the standings in LaLiga EA Sports in our article about the latest changes at the bottom of the table.
The match at San Mamés is expected to be intense: both teams need to take risks to achieve a result. For Athletic Club, it's a chance to move closer to European competitions, and for Valencia, an opportunity to distance themselves from the relegation zone. The outcome could significantly affect the standings in the final rounds of the championship.
