Valencia v Athletic player ratings, Nico Serrano the standout | OneFootball

Nico Serrano was rated Athletic’s best performer in a tense Copa quarter-final at Mestalla, where Iñaki Williams struck a stoppage-time winner. According to El Correo, a youthful side mixed bright moments with costly errors.

Padilla remained Valverde’s Copa goalkeeper, saving a weak Rioja shot before a heavy error allowed Sadiq to tap in. After the break he covered his near post well to deny Foulquier, and his earlier mistake did not prove fatal.

Lekue endured a torrid first half against Rioja and his crossing lacked accuracy, though Valencia’s level dipped after the interval. Gorosabel saw penalty appeals rejected for a Danjuma fall, then almost conceded one on Sadiq amid grappling, before a vital 87th-minute tackle on Hugo Duro.

Laporte returned after almost two months out to marshal a makeshift backline, broke the offside on a Sadiq chance, and lasted an hour before Yuri replaced him centrally. Vesga struggled alongside Jauregizar and was withdrawn early in the second half for Ruiz de Galarreta.

Selton was lively on his second start, produced neat touches and faded late, then made way for Nico Williams. Navarro supplied the cross that Sadiq headed in, later skewed a far-post chance wide, and was replaced by Iñaki Williams. Izeta worked tirelessly without threat and came off for Guruzeta on the hour.

Serrano was Athletic’s sharpest outlet, stinging Dimitrievski’s palms, whipping in dangerous centres and twice going close. Monreal impressed on debut with a superb block on Jesús Vázquez before half-time and assured aerial work.

Jauregizar missed a penalty that senior team-mates declined to take, then pushed on without creating much. Nico Williams, clearly short of full fitness, still demanded the ball and crossed for his brother’s goal. Guruzeta was involved with Tárrega in the incident that led to the spot-kick.

Source: El Correo