Athletic Club will host Real Valladolid on February 23, 2025, for a decisive La Liga match at Estadio de San Mamés. This encounter marks the 25th round of the season as both teams aim to secure valuable points, albeit for very different reasons.
Coming off significant momentum, Athletic Club has been enjoying a strong season, currently sitting third on the La Liga table with 45 points. Under the guidance of coach Ernesto Valverde, Athletic has built its success on solid home performances, suffering only one defeat at San Mamés this season. Their powerful offense has produced 37 goals, marking them among the league's most effective teams.
Maroan Sannadi, Athletic’s new forward and the star of Primera Federación, is expected to be pivotal for the home side. With 12 goals this season, Sannadi has emerged as Athletic's leading scoring threat, showcasing remarkable potential as he once again starts as the main striker for the match against Valladolid. He has become instrumental for the team, especially with five goals scored in the last three games. According to reports, he not only holds the squad together but also looks poised to return to the Spanish national team following his consistent performances.
On the other hand, Real Valladolid arrives at this match fighting to claw themselves out of the relegation zone. Under coach Álvaro Rubio, the team has encountered significant difficulties, with their last five matches resulting in four losses. Recently, they faced devastating defeats against teams like Sevilla (0-4) and Villarreal (1-5), leaving them at the bottom of the table with only 15 points. The pressure is on Valladolid to improve, as they seek to regain confidence and look for points to survive this tough La Liga season.
To compete effectively, Valladolid will need to tighten their defense, which has been exposed repeatedly this season. The team's formation adjustments may be necessary, especially if they are to face Athletic Club’s potent attack. Valladolid's offense has largely been reliant on players like Amallah and Moro, each having netted three goals this season, but collective team performance has faltered significantly.
Fans of both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exhilarating match. Athletic will have strong support from their home crowd, with tickets selling out almost immediately, prompting several fans to travel by bus to witness the game. A vibrant, passionate atmosphere is expected at San Mamés, as it often pushes the players to heightened performances.
The match kicks off at 14:00 local time, and fans can follow live coverage via various channels, including Disney+ and ESPN 2. Commentators are especially highlighting the stakes of this match, with Bilbao aiming to reinforce their top-four position and Valladolid desperate for points to avoid relegation.
Both teams have encountered one another multiple times over the years, with Athletic maintaining a favorable historical record against Valladolid. The teams last faced each other on November 10, 2024, resulting in a 1-1 draw, demonstrating the competitive nature of their matchups.
With Athletic’s current form and their impressive attacking prowess reinforced by players like Sannadi and Sancet, the pressure remains squarely on Valladolid as they trade blows against one of the league's top teams. Can Valladolid secure the necessary points to shift their fortunes, or will Athletic continue their quest for Champions League football next season? All eyes will be on the pitch at Estadio de San Mamés this February 23.