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The Italian has made it clear he will not necessarily have to make a choice between the two, before admitting Madrid face a tough task to win La Liga
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Isco and James Rodriguez can play alongside each other, before one of the two could take Gareth Bale's place in the starting XI against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Isco, who has previously been declared untouchable by Ancelotti, missed the 9-1 win over Granada at the weekend due to suspension, with James replacing him after recovering from injury.
Both midfielders are available for the midweek encounter with Rayo and Ancelotti has hinted they will both feature from the start, with Bale potentially missing out due to a minor injury.
"I could field both Isco and James. They have played together before," the Madrid coach said at a press conference.
"It is not a debate between the two of them. We are fortunate to have two players like them, it is not a problem. They can play in a number of positions and are very complete.
"Plus Bale has picked up a foot injury and we will have to wait and see whether he can play.
"I said before that Isco is untouchable, but that goes for the entire squad. I think we have the best team in the world.
"We have many more games left and I will have to rotate players. It is not true that some players are more important than others. James is doing a great job, but Isco has been fantastic, too."
Ancelotti then went on to reveal that Iker Casillas will play against Rayo, before making way for Keylor Navas for Saturday's match versus Eibar.
"Casillas will play on Wednesday. Navas will then get his chance against Eibar."
Madrid are currently trailing leaders Barcelona by four points in the Liga table and Ancelotti has admitted they face a tough task to catch the Catalans.
"I am not convinced that we will win the Liga title if we win all our remaining games.
"Barcelona are the team in charge.
"All I can do is make sure we do everything within our powers to win all our games."
The Atletico boss has revealed that the striker has been playing with an ankle problem since February but will now be afforded a well-earned break
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has revealed that Mario Mandzukic has been carrying an injury for the past 10 games.
The Croatia international has netted just once in his last seven outings in all competitions but Simeone says that the striker has been struggling with an ankle knock for just under two months.
"He has been injured for 10 games," the Argentine told reporters on the eve of Tuesday's Liga meeting with Real Sociedad.
"As everyone saw, he played 88 minutes in pain against Leverkusen [in the Champions League on March 17], showing great spirit and commitment to the team.
"How's this for class? Yesterday [Sunday] there was a knock at my door. Mario walks in with an interpreter, because obviously I don't speak his language.
"Showing a huge amount of class, befitting the extraordinary player he is, he said, 'My ankle's sore and I'm not coming up with the goods. I'm not in the condition that the team need me to be in.'
"I was really grateful to him for telling me because he had been training like normal and he would have been in the starting line-up tomorrow [Tuesday] because I view him as a starter.
"Therefore, tomorrow [Tuesday] he will not play and we are looking forward to the day he will return completely recovered."
Atletico can close to within two points of second-placed city rivals Real Madrid, and six of Liga leaders Barcelona, by defeating Sociedad at the Vicente Calderon.
However, Simeone says his sole concern is finishing third, ahead of Valencia and Sevilla.
"We have no time to think of the leaders," the former midfield ace added. "Our league is still against Valencia and Sevilla.
"It's going to be a very a good battle for third but also very difficult."
Arbeloa: Barcelona have tougher schedule than Madrid
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 7, 2015 09:23:42
The defender feels the Catalans have a difficult run-in and is hopeful Carlo Ancelotti's men can take advantage and leapfrog them in the table
Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa is confident they can still catch Barcelona in the race for the Liga title as he feels the Catalans have a tougher schedule in the remainder of the season.
The Santiago Bernabeu side have fallen four points behind the Catalans in the table with nine games to go.
Both teams face touch challenges against the likes of Sevilla and Valencia between now and the end of the campaign, but Barca must take on Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon, and the full-back believes the Blaugrana will slip up.
"Barcelona have a tougher schedule than we have," Arbeloa told reporters.
"We aim to win all our remaining games. That is our goal, even though we know it will not be easy.
"Sometime you spill points when you least expect it.
"We have two important games in La Liga coming up before the Champions League match versus Atletico Madrid.
"We want to head into that game in good form, so we must beat Rayo Vallecano and Eibar.
"The 9-1 win over Eibar was a big boost. It has helped us focus."
Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to Rayo on Wednesday, before hosting Eibar on Saturday.
Bale included in Real squad following injury concerns
8 April 2015
Gareth Bale is in Real Madrid's squad for Wednesday's La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano despite suffering a foot injury during his last outing.
The Wales international sustained the problem in Sunday's 9-1 win rout of Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu, with coach Carlo Ancelotti suggesting the forward could be doubtful for the midweek clash.
"Bale has had a problem with his left foot. We will assess him and then decided on the starting line-up," the Italian explained on Tuesday.
However, Bale is among the 20 players called up by Ancelotti for the short trip to the Estadio del Rayo Vallecano.
The former Tottenham man scored the opening goal in Sunday's comprehensive victory as he continued his revival at the Bernabeu following a difficult start to 2015.
The Real Madrid captain has been heavily criticised over the past year but the Rayo coach was impressed by his performance in Wednesday's derby clash
Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez says that under-fire Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas "shut a lot of mouths" with a stellar showing in Wednesday's 2-0 win at Vallecas.
Casillas' form for both club and country has been the subject of much debate over the past year, with the goalkeeper having been particularly heavily criticised for his performances with Spain at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
It is also believed that Madrid would like to replace their long-serving skipper with Manchester United No.1 David de Gea this summer, but Jemez believes that Casillas' enduring class simply cannot be questioned.
"Iker has shut a lot of mouths," he told El Partido de las 12 after watching his side lose their derby clash with Los Blancos.
"Real hadn't been shot at so many times in a long while and he was the man that stopped us scoring.
"He is still one of the greatest goalkeepers there is and today he has vindicated himself as one of the best.
"Once again, he has shown us just what he is made of."
Jemez also admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo was unlucky to have been booked for an alleged second-half dive when the Portuguese had clearly been taken out in the area by Antonio Amaya.
"It all happened very fast and you can hardly see anything, but I reckon there was some contact there," the Rayo boss conceded.
Ronaldo subsequently opened the scoring with a header before James Rodriguez sealed a victory that enabled Real to draw back to within four points of Liga leaders Barcelona.
The defender has a contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2017, but was recently linked with Bayern Munich
Sergio Ramos is happy at Real Madrid and has no interest in leaving the club, according to his brother and agent Rene Ramos.
The 29-year-old remains Carlo Ancelotti's first choice centre-back, with Pepe and Raphael Varane both partnering him at the heart of the back four this season.
But, despite having over two years still to run on his current deal, recent reports linked the former Sevilla defender with a move to Bayern Munich.
However, those rumours have been swiftly put to bed by the player's brother, who also acts as his representative.
He told Marca: "Sergio is very happy at Real Madrid. He's too happy at Madrid! As long as Sergio has a contract at Madrid he will wear the club's shirt."
Ramos is in his 10th year at the Santiago Bernabeu having joined the club as a teenager back in August 2005.
He has since gone on to win 13 trophies for club and country, including La Liga three times and the Champions League, as well as the World Cup and European Championship with Spain.
The Real Madrid star made a robbery gesture towards the referee after being booked for diving on Wednesday
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has stirred the controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's latest gesture towards a referee by highlighting his previous behaviour involving officials.
On Wednesday night the Real Madrid forward was booked for simulation after going to ground inside the penalty area following a tackle by Rayo Vallecano's Antonio Amaya.
The club have confirmed they will appeal the decision, with the 30-year-old set to miss Saturday's clash with Eibar if the caution is upheld having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.
But Ronaldo sparked further drama by making a gesture with his hands that is commonly used in Spain to represent a robbery, with Pique quick to point to his history of histrionics on the pitch.
The centre-back said on Thursday: "It isn't the first time he's made this gesture. He has never been punished before and I don't think it'll happen now. It is also not my problem."
Pique, who was talking during an ambassadorial event for the Laureus Foundation, also added his thoughts on the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
"We are two teams that know each other well and we respect one another. I think it will be two similar games to what we saw in the group stages.
"Playing in Paris is always difficult. We have to go out and play our game, creating chances through possession although they now practice a more direct game."
Colossus Ronaldo the perfect role model for children - Butragueno
By Miles Chambers
Apr 9, 2015 00:22:00
The Blancos director hailed the Portuguese forward for his latest goalscoring milestone as he helped the European champions to three points against Rayo Vallecano
Cristiano Ronaldo is the perfect role model for footballers and children across the world, according to Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno.
The forward scored his 300th goal for the Blancos on Wednesday as Carlo Ancelotti's men battled to a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano, who held out until the last third of the match before Ronaldo's header and James Rodriguez's curled strike settled the clash.
"Cristiano always wants to score more goals," Butragueno told reporters. "He always wants more and that's why he's such a colossus.
"He is a perfect example for any fellow professional and the best role model for children. He has unlimited ambition."
Butragueno also suggested the European champions suffered an earful from Ancelotti at half-time, which triggered a second-half improvement following the goalless first half against their neighbours.
"Rayo played very well," the Blancos' director of international relations added. "They pressed high up and their attacks were very fast. The tactics they used were complex.
"They had chances but our goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, performed admirably. At half-time there was a big team talk and the team was unrecognisable in the second half."
Real Madrid are back in action on Saturday when they host Eibar in their continued pursuit of table-toppers Barcelona - who also won on Wednesday to maintain their four-point lead - though they will be without Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos due to bookings picked up against Rayo.
Ronaldo booked for diving and will miss next Madrid match
By Miles Chambers
Apr 8, 2015 22:14:00
The Portuguese forward was yellow carded for simulation against Rayo Vallecano - despite clear contact - before he went on to score his 300th goal for the club
Cristiano Ronaldo picked up an eyebrow-raising booking for diving against Rayo Vallecano and will miss Real Madrid's next match.
The Portugal international has been mocked by rival fans for his simulation antics in the past and perhaps that weighed on the mind of the referee when Antonio Amaya slid into the forward's legs inside the hosts' penalty area in the 51st minute.
The visiting fans were expecting a penalty to be called - in what looked to be one of the simpler spot-kick decisions of the season - but the official instead yellow-carded the Ballon d'Or holder for what he considered a dive, to the shock of Carlo Ancelotti's side and their supporters.
Ronaldo was stunned to be booked - which rules him out of this weekend's home tie against Eibar - and the European champions were evidently frustrated, with Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos yellow-carded almost instantly afterwards for a reckless challenge and dissent respectively.
Real Madrid's bitter disappointment was soon placated as Ronaldo responded by heading home his 300th goal - set up by a fine Dani Carvajal cross from the right flank - for the club he joined in 2009.
Kroos and James Rodriguez - who was the first player on the pitch to go in the referee's book with 20 minutes on the clock - will join Ronaldo on the sidelines this weekend, though they will return in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
The trio's absence against Eibar could be costly as the Blancos are chasing Liga table-toppers Barcelona, who remain four points clear at the top following their 4-0 win over Eibar.
The forward will miss the league clash with Eibar on Saturday if Wednesday's booking is upheld
Real Madrid have confirmed they will appeal the yellow card shown to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old was booked for simulation after going to ground in the penalty area following a tackle by Antonio Amaya, a decision which prompted protests from him and his team-mates.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti also hit out at what he said was an "unbelievable" decision by the referee, which resulted in Ronaldo's fifth yellow of the season, ruling him out of the clash with Eibar on Saturday.
However, the club remain hopeful of overturning the caution after releasing a statement on Thursday: "Real Madrid will present an argument against the yellow card shown to Cristiano Ronaldo in yesterday's match against Rayo Vallecano."
It wasn't all bad news for the Portugal captain, though, as he scored the opening goal of the game to bring up his 300th strike in all competitions for the club, making him their third-highest goalscorer of all-time.
James Rodriguez later added a second as Madrid ensured the gap between themselves and leaders Barcelona remains just four points.
A 1-1 draw with Cordoba has proven to be the final straw for the coach, who won just six of his 32 games in charge
Deportivo La Coruna have sacked coach Victor Fernandez after a run of eight games without a win.
The club's board of directors met after Deportivo drew 1-1 at home with La Liga's bottom club, Cordoba, on Wednesday.
The result left the Galician club just two points clear of the relegation zone with eight games left and Fernandez won just six of his 32 competitive games in charge.
Deportivo's decision brought Fernandez's tenure to an end almost exactly nine months after he was appointed on July 10, 2014.
"Deportivo La Coruna want to sincerely thank Victor Fernandez," read a statement from the club.
"Your stake has been important in the return to La Liga, commitment to the White and Blues project and the work done since coming to the club until today.
"When the moment comes that a new coach has been hired, Deportivo's president will appear before the media for a presentation."
Deportivo needed an 87th-minute own goal from Cordoba's Florin Andone to claim a point, after the same player had given the visitors the lead nine minutes into the second half.
The one-time Spanish champions have three away matches in their next four fixtures in La Liga as they look to avoid relegation.
Laporta steps up bid to become Barcelona president
Apr 8, 2015 14:31:07
SPECIAL REPORT: The club's former president is yet to formally announce his challenge but has ensured he has the necessary finances in place to do so
By Pilar Suarez
Joan Laporta has stepped up his bid to become Barcelona president ahead of the summer election after securing the €76 million financial guarantee needed to run for the position.
The Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP), responsible for administering the two professional football leagues in Spain, requires a 15 per cent guarantee of a club's expenditure from candidates before they are allowed to launch a bid, amounting to €76m at Barcelona.
Laporta has yet to publicly confirm that he will run for the position, but has already gathered the financial support necessary to do so and is expected to formally announcy his candidacy in the weeks leading up to the election, granting himself the time to put together a team around him and gain as much monetary support as possible to back his bid.
The 52-year-old previously led Barca to 12 titles in his first mandate between 2003 and 2010. He hired current Bayern Munich boss Guardiola as first-team coach in 2008 as the club embarked on the most successful spell in their history.
He initially aimed to return to Camp Nou in 2016, but has brought forward his bid after reigning president Josep Maria Bartomeu announced a summer election during a press conference in January.
Bartomeu has been in charge at Barcelona ever since Sandro Rosell was forced to step down in the wake of the controversy surrounding the transfer of Neymar from Santos.
Laporta faces competition from Bartomeu, Agusti Benedito and Jordi Farre in the race to become Barcelona president, with all three already publicly confirming their candidacy.
SPECIAL REPORT: The club's second team had mixed feelings over the Norwegian being treated like a household name following his January signing
By Alberto Pinero
Martin Odegaard has endured a tough start to life at Real Madrid and Goal understands that members of the club's Castilla squad were unhappy with the level of publicity generated by his arrival in the Spanish capital.
The 16-year-old is widely regarded as one of the game's most exciting young talents, with the European champions' decision to sign the much-coveted attacking midfielder from Stromsgodset for €3 million in January making headlines across Europe.
That fanfare was greeted with a mixed reception by Los Blancos' second team, who have received nothing like the same level of attention as they bid to force their way into the Santiago Bernabeu side's senior squad.
Odegaard is already a full Norway international but is yet to make a first-team appearance for his new club and has even struggled for regular appearances in their reserves, with the youngster managing just one goal in five outings thus far.
While international duty forced Odegaard to miss one recent game, coach Zinedine Zidane opted to leave him out of their following fixture for tactical reasons. Castilla had lost their previous four games with the teenager in the starting XI but won both games without him.
That said, Odegaard is doing his best to adapt to life on and off the pitch by having four Spanish lessons a week as he bids to improve his communication with his new team-mates.
Furthemore, the club remain unconcerned over his development, given his tender years and the fact that this is his first move away from his homeland.
Carlo Ancelotti and his staff also recognise the added difficulty that he has faced in training with both the first team and Castilla squad - he works with Zidane and his team just once a week.
A Madrid source also dismissed any notion of regret at Odegaard's arrival, adding that he is clearly "a very talented player" and he also appears likely to start against Tudelano on Sunday.
Barcelona 4 Almeria 0: Messi and Suarez on target as leaders cruise
8 April 2015
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were on target as leaders Barcelona beat Almeria 4-0 to chalk up a sixth straight La Liga win.
Messi went into the contest nursing an injury to his right foot but illuminated a largely forgettable first half with a sumptuous strike – his 44th goal in 43rd Barca appearances this term.
Suarez redeemed what had been a frustrating match individually with a similarly impressive second 10 minutes after half-time.
Defender Marc Bartra headed home in the 75th minute before Suarez tapped home in stoppage time to ensure former Barca full-back Sergi suffered defeat in his first match as Almeria coach.
The Andalusian side dispensed of Juan Ignacio Martinez after a run of seven winless games, though Sergi may well target Saturday's fixture against fellow strugglers Granada as a chance to turn their fortunes around.
Barca appear to be hitting their straps at just the right time, however, with an ever-improving defence keeping a clean sheet for the fourth time in five outings.
Though ultimately comfortable, Barca were made to sweat through much of the first half as Suarez wasted a free header from a seventh minute corner before Messi nodded Dani Alves' cross into the arms of goalkeeper Julian Cuesta.
Barca struggled to create early clear openings despite dominating possession and Wellington Silva was only denied by a last-ditch intervention from Pedro – the winger's best contribution coming in defence despite being brought in to replace the off-form Neymar.
There was a vital clearance from Almeria teenage debutant Antonio Marin after Messi sent Suarez scampering in behind the visiting defence and Cuesta saved with half an hour played when Xavi drilled a volley into the turf.
Murmurs of frustration were audible from the Camp Nou terraces at that stage, but Messi punctured the air of apprehension in typically majestic style.
Cutting in from the right flank, Barca's talisman skipped past Edgar Mendez's challenge and curled a beauty into the far corner from the edge of the area.
Almeria retained a threat on the break after half-time and the hosts were grateful when Suarez doubled their advantage emphatically.
Again, attacking from the right proved profitable for Barca and Suarez evaded an isolated Jose Manuel Casado to thrash a left-footed shot that Cuesta could only touch into the top corner.
Ivan Rakitic and Pedro went close as Barca revelled in a more relaxed Camp Nou atmosphere.
Bartra was allowed ample room to convert a Xavi corner with 15 minutes remaining and Messi thought he had a second, only for Cuesta to impressively keep out his 88th-minute free-kick.
Suarez shrugged off brief fears that he had sustained an injury to his right leg by chalking up his brace in stoppage time, completing a simple finish from Pedro's low cross moments after Almeria midfielder Thomas Partey had a spectacular volleyed effort disallowed - a moment to encapsulate the struggles that Sergi must turn around.
Rayo Vallecano 0 Real Madrid 2: Ronaldo and Rodriguez on target in vital win
8 April 2015
Cristiano Ronaldo's 48th goal of another remarkable season set Real Madrid on the way to a battling 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
La Liga leaders Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win over struggling Almeria earlier on Wednesday and Real endured a far more testing encounter against their tireless near-neighbours.
Rayo attacked with verve and intelligence as they enjoyed the better of the first half and, although Real improved after the interval, the prolific form showcased during Sunday's 9-1 demolition of Granada eluded them.
Ronaldo netted a remarkable five times in that game, but his solitary 68th-minute header here was arguably of greater importance in terms of the title race.
The Ballon d'Or holder turned provider for the impressive James Rodriguez to make the points safe with 17 minutes left - ensuring Real remain four points behind Barca and five ahead of reigning champions Atletico Madrid in third.
Rodriguez crossed for Ronaldo to volley wide in the seventh minute before the Colombia playmaker was thwarted by David Cobeno, who started in goal for Rayo after Cristian Alvarez was injured during the warm-up.
In between those two chances, Gael Kakuta sent a 25-yard effort whistling narrowly off target and Iker Casillas did well to keep out a low strike from Alberto Bueno as Paco Jemez's men played a full part in an entertaining opening period.
Gareth Bale netted a controlled volley in the 23rd minute but was correctly ruled to be offside on the end of Luka Modric's lofted throughball.
It was a rare moment of encouragement during the first half for Real as Rayo, buoyed by a run of four wins in their previous five matches, dominated possession and pressed to stifle Real's creativity.
Manucho almost turned a 34th-minute corner past Casillas and the Spain goalkeeper made an even better reaction save from Roberto Trashorras' back-post header.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti had plenty to ponder at the break as Rayo were rapturously applauded from the field.
The visitors began the second half in more encouraging fashion, as Bale sent a diving header agonisingly wide from Rodriguez's searching cross.
Ronaldo was booked for simulation when he had penalty claims rejected before the Portugal star combined with Bale for Karim Benzema to pull a shot past the far post in the 53rd minute.
Marcelo and Bale hit rasping drives just wide as Real cranked up the pressure further - Rodriguez showcasing some dazzling footwork before crashing a left-footed shot over with 65 minutes played.
Finally, the pressure told when full-back Dani Carvajal raced down the right flank and Ronaldo stooped to head home his cross.
Rayo surged forward in response as Nacho stung Casillas' gloves from 20 yards but Rodriguez got the goal his efforts deserved, slotting into the bottom corner with 17 minutes to play.
Casillas added a further flourish to a fine evening's work when Manucho headed towards the bottom corner and Rayo full-back Tito lashed a shot wastefully wide, meaning Ancelotti's side gladly avoided a grandstand finish.
Granada 1 Celta Vigo 1: Bongonda nets late leveller
8 April 2015
Relegation-threatened Granada paid the price for a late lapse as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Celta Vigo in La Liga.
Granada, who sit second-bottom in the Spanish top flight, missed a chance to move within one point of safety on Wednesday after Theo Bongonda's 93rd-minute leveller for the visitors.
A draw will still be seen as a decent result against 11th-placed Celta, but to come so close to winning and fail will rankle with Granada coach Abel Resino.
Looking to bounce back from Sunday's 9-1 humiliation at Real Madrid, Granada made an excellent start.
Robert Ibanez gave them the lead in the third minute but in a fiery match, that saw 12 cards dished out, they saw their hopes slashed just before the half-time break.
Granada defender Jeison Murillo - who was initially booked in the 39th minute - was given a second yellow card just three minutes later.
Celta looked like heading home with nothing though, until substitute Bongonda struck at the death to frustrate the hapless hosts.
Suarez: Barcelona must show style to keep Real Madrid at bay
By Miles Chambers
Apr 8, 2015 21:49:00
Having scored twice as Luis Enrique's men romped to a comfortable triumph over Almeria, the striker has demanded his team-mates keep their eye on the ball
Luis Suarez has called on Barcelona to stamp their personality on games following their 4-0 demolition of Almeria on Wednesday.
The Uruguayan striker bagged the second and fourth goal for the Catalans, with fellow forward Lionel Messi scoring a sublime opener and defender Marc Bartra netting the third at Camp Nou.
Suarez has now scored in three consecutive home Primera Division games for the first time and, with Barca now guaranteed to be at least four points clear of Real Madrid after Wednesday's matches, he has challenged his team-mates to keep their eyes on the prize if they want to steal the league crown from Atletico Madrid.
"We know that if we're not concentrated in La Liga games then we won't get three points and, as a result, we won't end up top of the table," he told Gol Television.
"We must rely on ourselves and we have to continue in this vein of form. It's the part of the season in which we have everything to play for. We have to stamp our personality on games because we're Barca.
"The important thing is to have helped the team, not having scored twice. Real Madrid will fight to the end, they're a top team."
Barca next face Sevilla on Saturday before travelling to the capital of France to clash with Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
La Liga Review: Valencia held to controversial draw at Bilbao
9 April 2015
Valencia's UEFA Champions League prospects were dented on Thursday as they were held to a controversial 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao
Nuno's men had been put under pressure in the race for the top four in La Liga by Sevilla, who moved level on points with Valencia by beating Levante on Tuesday.
Rodrigo De Paul put Valencia ahead after 61 minutes with a smart finish in the bottom-right corner, but the game turned when Nicolas Otamendi was harshly sent off in the 82nd minute following a collision with Bilbao's Mikel San Jose.
And Valencia's indignation increased in the 90th minute when Aritz Aduriz tapped home the leveller for Bilbao from what looked to be an offside position, after Borja Viguera's deflected effort struck the post.
Elsewhere, Felipe Caicedo scored twice as Espanyol won 3-0 at Villarreal and Elche remain just three points clear of safety following a 1-0 home defeat to Getafe.
Fredy Hinestroza netted the winner for Getafe six minutes from time with a near-post header from a corner.
Deportivo La Coruna announced the appointment of former player Victor Sanchez del Amo as coach on Thursday, replacing Victor Fernandez.
Sanchez del Amo, 39, steps into the hot seat for the first time as a senior coach, a day after Fernandez was relieved of his duties following Deportivo's 1-1 draw with Cordoba on Wednesday.
Deportivo are fourth-from-bottom in the La Liga standings, two points above the relegation zone with eight matches remaining and Sanchez del Amo will be tasked with preserving the club's top-flight status, starting against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Sanchez del Amo is no stranger to Deportivo, having helped the club win the league title in 2000 and Copa del Rey in 2002 as a midfielder.
"I would like to thank the president for making it possible that this city, and this club – both important parts of my career as a player, can now be a vital part of my career as a coach," Sanchez del Amo said.
"I will be making my managerial debut with Depor in the Primera Division. It's a dream come true."
Deportivo president Tino Fernandez added: "Victor was part of the legendary Depor side and for all that he achieved as a player, he really needs no introduction.
"I would like to thank Victor for showing faith in this project; I encourage him to succeed and wish the very best of luck in this new venture."
Nathaniel Clyne's long-term future at Southampton has been cast in doubt after manager Ronald Koeman admitted the club face a battle to retain his services.
Clyne has impressed at the St Mary's Stadium this season and his form has seen him earn international recognition with England.
The former Crystal Palace full-back has subsequently been linked to several suitors, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal thought to be interested.
"We are still trying to keep Clyne in the club. We know it's not easy as maybe there is some interest," Koeman told BBC Radio Solent.
"At the moment, there is not a serious bid for whichever player in the team, but we'll do everything to keep them."
Koeman is also seeking clarity on the future of on-loan Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld.
The Liga champions' sporting director Jose Luis Perez recently stated that the Belgian would return to the Spanish capital next season.
"Always, you like to have an answer as soon as possible," he added. "It's more the business of Les Reed [Southampton's director of football].
"We know he wants to be at Southampton. I've read a comment that the technical director at Atletico Madrid wants him to return, so we will know in some weeks what will happen with Toby."
