Aguirre's Valencia debut ends 2-2 at Racing as Otorbi rescues a point
Javier Aguirre's first match as Valencia coach finished level at Racing Santander, with David Otorbi's first-team goal saving a point for a side 19th in LaLiga.
Javier Aguirre's first match as Valencia coach ended in a 2-2 draw at Racing Santander on 11 October 2026, per EFE and Futeros. David Otorbi's 65th-minute equaliser, his first goal for the first team according to ClaroSports, rescued a point for a side that sits 19th in LaLiga.
Early lead, then a chase
Valencia were ahead inside two minutes. Dani Raba finished a fast break from the centre of the box, rifling a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner after a headed pass from Justin de Haas. Racing answered in the 32nd minute, when Yassir Zabiri found the same corner from the centre of the box, set up by a through ball from Iñigo Vicente after a set piece. The sides went in level at 1-1.
Racing edged in front in the 47th minute, when Iván Martín struck with his left foot from outside the box. Valencia had already made three changes by the hour mark. Otorbi, on for Filip Ugrinic in the 58th minute, levelled seven minutes later, finishing from the centre of the box with Javi Guerra's assist.
The numbers behind it
Racing had the bulk of the attacking play. Their 11 shots on target produced two goals, while Valencia's two on-target efforts both went in. Valencia were the side doing the clearing and the blocking: 36 clearances to Racing's 10, 12 interceptions to Racing's seven, and nine saves from their goalkeeper.
| Stat | Racing Santander | Valencia |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 20 | 9 |
| Shots on goal | 11 | 2 |
| Possession (%) | 54.1 | 45.9 |
| Accurate passes | 441 | 349 |
| Corner kicks | 8 | 3 |
| Fouls | 15 | 10 |
| Interceptions | 7 | 12 |
| Clearances | 10 | 36 |
| Saves | 0 | 9 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 3 |
Standout performers
Sergio Canales had four shots for Racing, and Iñigo Vicente completed 68 accurate passes. For Valencia, Pepelu completed 54 accurate passes, Javi Guerra had three shots and an assist, and Stole Dimitrievski finished with nine saves.
What the table says
Going into the match, Pacy's standings had Racing 16th on seven points from seven games and Valencia 19th on four. ClaroSports puts Valencia 19th on five points after the draw, one behind Elche, the first side outside the relegation zone. At the top, Barcelona lead on 24 points from eight games, with Atlético Madrid and Real Betis level on 19.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | +27 | 24 |
| 2 | Atlético Madrid | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | +10 | 19 |
| 3 | Real Betis | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 19 |
| 16 | Racing Santander | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 7 |
| 19 | Valencia | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -9 | 4 |
Form was poor on both sides. Racing's two games before this were heavy defeats: 2-7 away to Barcelona and 0-5 away to Celta Vigo. Valencia have one win in their last four league games, with three goals for and nine against, and their most recent game before this was a 2-3 home defeat to Real Sociedad on 20 September.
Aguirre told DAZN, per AFP, that the result was fair and that there is room to improve. Translated from the Spanish:
"The draw is fair." "There are things to improve."
What comes next
Valencia host Athletic Club at Mestalla on 17 October 2026, per ClaroSports. The point they took here could have been more: Hugo Duro missed a clear chance on the final play that would have won it, according to ClaroSports.