Berenguer: a goalscoring full debut
Berenguer: a goalscoring full debut
Athletic Club’s most recent signing grabbed a goal on his first start for the lions, a feat only achieved in LaLiga during this century by Susaeta, Raúl García and Nolaskoain
Álex Berenguer has had an immediate impact at Athletic Club. The Lions’ most recent addition made his first start for Athletic against Levante on Sunday and the left-winger topped off the moment by bagging a first goal for his new side.
Since the turn of the century, only five other Athletic players have scored on their full debuts in LaLiga Santander: Markel Susaeta, Joseba Del Olmo, Raúl García, Peru Nolaskoain and Asier Villalibre.
Markel Susaeta made his full debut in the 2007-08 season, starting in a 3-1 defeat against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. The winger scored his first Athletic goal in the 71st minute, tucking away a poorly timed punch clearance by Víctor Valdés.
In 2008-09, left-winger Joseba Del Olmo scored during his first Athletic Club start. Del Olmo got the equaliser as Athletic, then managed by Joaquín Caparrós, fell to a 2-1 away defeat against UD Almeria.
The other two lions to have scored on their full LaLiga debuts for Athletic are in the current squad. Attacking midfielder Raúl García got Athletic’s second of the match on his first start, with the Lions going on to beat Getafe CF 3-1 on Matchday 3 of the 2015-16 season.
Defender Peru Nolaskoain got his first goal on his first start when Athletic played CD Leganés at San Mamés in their 2018-19 LaLiga opener. Finally, striker Asier Villalibre celebrated wildly after grabbing a goal on his full debut as the lions drew 1-1 in a LaLiga clash against RCD Espanyol.