Javier Aguirre will face Athletic Club again on October 18, but this time with the Valencia CF dressing room. The former Mexican national team, who has coached several Spanish teams, maintains a favorable record against the lions, with more victories than defeats in the matches in which he has been at the head of different teams.
In the 23 league games that Athletic has played against teams under Aguirre's direction, the Bilbao team has recorded ten losses, five draws and eight wins. The only match in which Aguirre lost under his command was the final of the 2011 Copa del Rey, when Mallorca, his team at the time, lost in the penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in regular time and overtime. That result remains Aguirre's only setback in a cup final.
Valencia CF will be the seventh club that the coach has coached and that has faced Athletic. Throughout his career, Aguirre has obtained varied results with his teams: with Osasuna he achieved two wins, two draws and four losses; with Atlético de Madrid he recorded three wins, zero draws and two losses; With Mallorca he did not achieve any victory in the league, but he did achieve a defeat in the cup final; With Espanyol he won three victories and no draws or defeats; with Zaragoza he won once, lost once and tied once; and with Leganés he achieved a victory and no defeats.
The next match at Mestalla promises to be a new challenge for Aguirre, who will have to show that his experience against Athletic continues to be a factor in his favor. With the season still underway, the result of this match will have implications for both the standings and morale of both teams. Valencia seeks to consolidate its position in the table, while Athletic continues its campaign in the hope of advancing in the competition.