Unai Núñez back at San Mamés as Valencia visit Athletic | OneFootball

Valencia visit San Mamés on Sunday to face Athletic Club, with both teams chasing different goals. Athletic have Europe in their sights next season, Valencia need a win to finally secure their top-flight status.

AS reports that Carlos Corberán could tweak his XI after the Atlético de Madrid match, with Unai Núñez in contention to return. The centre-back arrived in January after ending his loan at Hellas Verona. He belongs to Celta and is on loan at Valencia.

He quickly earned a spot in the back line, then a muscle injury against Celta sidelined him for almost three weeks. Since then Valencia have played four games, Núñez only featured for 19 minutes against Girona and was unused against Atlético despite being available.

Corberán has every defender available except Thierry Correia, who is close to completing his recovery. Núñez could start either in a back three or at right-back instead of Saravia, who has filled that role in recent weeks.

Núñez came through Lezama after joining as a youngster and made his Athletic debut in 2017. After five seasons with the club he left on loan to Celta de Vigo for two campaigns before returning to San Mamés in 2024.

He is a full Spain international and won the Spanish Super Cup with Athletic in 2021. His Valencia deal runs to the end of the season, then he must go back to Celta, with his longer-term future unresolved.

Source: AS