Monreal impresses in the air on debut at Mestalla | OneFootball

Monreal delivered an assured, aerially strong debut at centre-back as Athletic faced Valencia at Mestalla.

According to El Correo, Ernesto Valverde sprung a surprise with a line-up full of squad players, including Nico Serrano and Robert Navarro, plus youngsters Selton and Monreal.

Monreal started alongside Laporte, who returned after two months out with a severe left biceps femoris injury. Paredes was suspended after his red against Cultural Leonesa in the last 16, Vivian was injured and Yeray remained absent following a positive test against Manchester United in the Europa League. The Navarrese centre-back turns 21 in July, having joined in 2023-2024 from Ardoi.

He set the tone by heading away Valencia’s first long ball. He relished the tussle with Sadiq and covered Gorosabel against Danyuma, and even ventured up for a rare corner.

Valencia’s equaliser arrived when Sadiq beat him in the air then worked the ball wide, and a handling error from Padilla let the Nigerian atone for an earlier own goal. The reshaped back line then suffered until half-time.

In the tunnel, Laporte was seen offering guidance before the restart, while Monreal urged Padilla on with the tie still alive. After the break the debutant had less to do as Athletic pushed higher.

With about half an hour left, Yuri replaced Laporte and partnered Monreal, who read balls in behind for the newly introduced Hugo Duro and was firm in the tackle. Iñaki Williams struck the winner in stoppage time, and Monreal’s release at full-time showed a job well done.

Source: El Correo