Julen Agirrezabala Returns to Valencia Squad for San Mamés Clash
Julen Agirrezabala returns to Valencia’s squad for the Athletic trip to San Mamés after four months out; coach Carlos Corberán confirms his inclusion.
Julen Agirrezabala has been named in Valencia’s matchday squad for the upcoming trip to Athletic Club at San Mamés, a symbolic return for the goalkeeper who has not featured since January. The 22-year-old, on loan from Athletic Bilbao, missed four months of action after suffering two separate injuries that interrupted his season at Mestalla. Valencia coach Carlos Corberán confirmed Agirrezabala’s presence in the list after the keeper completed recent training sessions and worked specifically with the goalkeeping staff.
Agirrezabala included in Valencia squad for San Mamés
Julen Agirrezabala’s return to a matchday list marks the first time he has been available since the early weeks of the year, and the selection carries personal significance as it comes against his parent club. The decision to include him in the travelling group reflects his recovery progress and the staff’s confidence in his physical readiness following a carefully managed rehabilitation program. Corberán stressed that the inclusion is based on fitness work completed in training and that the squad balance will be managed with Valencia’s immediate competitive priorities in mind.
The selection does not necessarily indicate an automatic return to the starting line-up, however, given the context of the club’s current position in LaLiga. Valencia remain engaged in a fight to secure their top-flight status and have relied heavily on consistent performers, particularly in goal, during the second half of the season. For that reason, Agirrezabala is expected to be integrated cautiously into the matchday setup, with minutes to be managed to protect his recovery and the team’s immediate objectives.
Injury timeline: hamstring tear then meniscus rupture
Agirrezabala’s absence began with a muscular injury sustained on January 4 in the league fixture against Celta Vigo, when he tore the hamstring in his left leg and required an extended rehabilitation period. That initial setback kept him out for nearly two months as he underwent physiotherapy and progressive reintroduction to team training. Just as he approached a potential return to selection, the goalkeeper suffered a torn meniscus during a Saturday training session that forced medical staff to extend his recovery timeline and adjust his rehabilitation protocol.
The combined effect of the hamstring and meniscal injuries meant Agirrezabala spent roughly four months away from competitive action, a period that demanded careful load management and surgical or conservative treatment as determined by the club’s medical team. Valencia’s goalkeeping coaches worked with him on targeted strength, mobility, and technical work before reintegrating him into full-team drills. The club appears to have prioritized long-term fitness and availability over a rushed comeback, a strategy underscored by the decision to include him in the squad only after structured progress.
Dimitrievski’s consolidation as first-choice goalkeeper
In Agirrezabala’s absence, Giorgos Dimitrievski established himself as Valencia’s starting goalkeeper and has delivered a series of performances that have reinforced his position between the posts. The Macedonian shot-stopper became a regular presence in the team during the second half of the campaign and was cited by analysts and fans for key saves and steady displays in matches that mattered for the club’s survival bid. His consistency has given coach Corberán a reliable option and has complicated any immediate pathway for Agirrezabala to reclaim the number one jersey upon returning from injury.
Dimitrievski’s role was not only sporting; it also became a matter of squad dynamics when he publicly raised concerns about the terms of Agirrezabala’s loan agreement. Those comments sparked a controversy that the club addressed through internal processes, but they did not lead to any on-field suspension and Dimitrievski continued to be a central figure in Valencia’s lineup. The practical implication for the team is that Agirrezabala will likely need to demonstrate peak form in training and potentially in cup or lower-stakes minutes before being entrusted with the starting role again.
Loan contract dispute and its repercussions
Earlier in the season both the terms of Agirrezabala’s loan from Athletic and public statements surrounding those terms became a source of friction within the squad. The loan agreement reportedly contained clauses related to playing time and financial penalties tied to match appearances, a structure that prompted Dimitrievski to describe the arrangement as creating "unequal competition" within the dressing room. Those remarks generated a response from club authorities and ultimately led to a financial sanction for the goalkeeper who made the comments, while sporting sanctions were not applied.
The episode highlighted the complexities that can arise when a parent club retains contractual levers over a loaned player’s usage, particularly in sensitive positions such as goalkeeper where rotation is less frequent. Valencia navigated the matter by addressing the public comments internally and by maintaining selection decisions on sporting criteria, yet the dispute underscored tensions that can affect dressing-room harmony. For Agirrezabala, the controversy added an extra narrative layer to his return, although the priority for the player and coaching staff now appears firmly focused on his recovery and on-field contribution.
Corberán’s assessment and selection outlook for the run-in
Carlos Corberán has been measured in his comments about Agirrezabala’s reinstatement, emphasizing the goalkeeper’s fitness work and the staff’s role in monitoring his condition ahead of a high-demand fixture. The coach confirmed that Agirrezabala has been participating in goalkeeping sessions with good intensity and that his inclusion in the squad reflects that progress rather than an immediate plan to alter the starting XI. Corberán stressed that selection will ultimately hinge on who can best serve Valencia’s objective of securing points as the season concludes, particularly in fixtures against top-level opponents.
With LaLiga entering its decisive stages, the pragmatic approach favours maintaining a settled defensive unit while providing cover and competition through training and matchday options. Agirrezabala’s role for the upcoming match is therefore likely to be as an available, fully assessed backup capable of stepping in if needed, while Dimitrievski is expected to start based on form and the imperative of stability. The coaching staff will continue to monitor minutes and manage the goalkeeper group to ensure both immediate competitiveness and the long-term development of Agirrezabala.
Julen Agirrezabala’s return to Valencia’s matchday squad for San Mamés signals a carefully managed comeback after a prolonged absence, with his reintegration handled in a way that balances medical prudence and competitive necessity.
