So yeah I just finished watching the Athletic Bilbao vs Valencia lineup news drop tonight. Honestly figured it’d leak earlier like it usually does, but nah, had to sit there refreshing like a dummy.
First thing, grabbed my phone – battery was freaking 7%, typical. Plugged it in real quick by the couch. Opened that one app everyone uses, you know the one with the blue bird? Whatever. Scrolled down a bit and bam, there it was: official accounts posted the starting XIs.
What They Went With
For Bilbao, Unai Simon in goal, obviously. Defenders were De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, and that Yuri guy. Really felt they’d maybe start Lekue instead of Paredes, but guess not. Midfield was Ruiz de Galarreta plus them two young guys, Sancet and Beñat Prados. Up front, predictable as hell: Iñaki Williams wide right, Guruzeta down the middle, and Nico Williams terrorizing the left side. Bench had Raúl García and Villalibre looking grumpy as usual.
Now Valencia… Mamardashvili in net. Defender situation had me scratching my head. Gaspar at right-back? Okay, I guess. Mosquera and Gabriel Paulista in the center, fine. But then… sigh… José Gayà wasn’t even on the bench! Hurt again? That guy’s made of glass. Hugo Guillamón filled in there. Midfield felt kinda light – Pepelu holding, then Javi Guerra and Sergi Canós trying to create stuff. Attack? Duro up top, Yaremchuk on the bench. Peter Federico got the start on the wing, which honestly seems like a coin flip decision.
My Take? Questionable Choices
Valencia’s backline looks sketchy to me. Gaspar’s slow, Guillamón ain’t a natural left back, Paulista is Paulista – liable to do something boneheaded. And where’s the muscle in midfield? Just Pepelu? Bilbao’s gonna run straight through them. Feels like Ruben Baraja forgot his team struggles big time away from home. Betting people gonna be mad.
Hated seeing Gayà missing. Classic Valencia. And playing Peter Federico? Guy has sparks but goes missing for 80 minutes. Should’ve maybe gone safer with someone like Hugo Duro wider and Yaremchuk central. Whole setup feels like asking for trouble against Bilbao’s press.
Anyway, screenshotted the lineups quick before my phone died again. Spilled biscuit crumbs everywhere trying to type this out fast. Kid started yelling for water from the other room halfway through writing about Valencia’s midfield. Like clockwork. Maybe the chaos of getting these lineups is part of the fun? Or maybe it’s just dumb. Whatever, game time soon!