Aguirre says Valencia deserved more in Athletic draw after ending home losing streak

Javier Aguirre felt Valencia CF deserved more from their goalless draw with Athletic Club at Mestalla. The match, played on Thursday in front of 43,223 fans, delivered the first home point of Aguirre's tenure and ended a damaging run of three consecutive defeats at their own stadium.

The Mexican coach, overseeing his second game in charge, was direct in his assessment. "We came from three consecutive defeats at home. We had to turn it around. We had to do something different." Aguirre told reporters. He summed up the lack of a goal succinctly: "The ball just didn't go in". Aguirre added that the team "worked well" and that, while the result wasn't what they wanted, "the attitude and commitment were good".

Defence holds firm

The team managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in weeks. Goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and the defence, which featured a key goal-line clearance from César Tárrega, were key. Captain José Gayà marked his 350th LaLiga appearance for Valencia CF with this defensive solidity. The coach highlighted the collective work and concentration of the defensive block to stop an Athletic side that threatened on the counter-attack.

The side, sitting <a href="/standings">19th in the table</a> with 6 points, showed improved organisation. Despite chances for Hugo Duro and Arnaut Danjuma, they could not find a way past Athletic's Unai Simón. Valencia's recent form reads one win, two draws and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence that shows their battle for consistency. Striker Hugo Duro had the best home effort with a header that required a superb save from the international goalkeeper.

Next challenge at home

The next test comes quickly. Valencia CF will host Villarreal on 24 October in their <a href="/fixtures">next challenge at home</a>, a key fixture against a side currently tenth in the standings. Aguirre made the priority clear: "We had to make Mestalla a fortress". The team aims to build on this starting point at their own ground, where supporters are waiting to see the first three points of the Aguirre era. The match was officiated by Adrián Cordero, with David Gálvez on VAR duty. The coach concluded that the point is a "first step" to recovering confidence and reconnecting with the home fans.

More detail at Record MX