This Sunday Athletic Club visit the José Zorrilla, the stadium of Real Valladolid. For Athletic captain Iker Muniain, the stadium certainly holds a special place in his heart. This is because in 2009-10, his debut season in LaLiga, and at just 16 years old, the playmaker scored his first ever league goal for Athletic at the José Zorrilla.
Muniain came off the bench in the 62nd minute and in the 77th minute scored the equaliser which saw Athletic draw the match 2-2. It was the first of 46 LaLiga goals that Iker has scored for Athletic so far in his career.
However, Muniain actually opened his official goalscoring account for Athletic before this fixture. Earlier in the same season, he struck in the Europa League against Young Boys in Bern and then later against FK Austria Wien at San Mamés.
It’s not the only time Muniain has found the back of the net in Valladolid either. He also put Real Valladolid to the sword in the 2013-14 season, with a goal that helped Athletic to a 1-2 victory.
Among the current first-team squad, De Marcos (2012-13), Unai López, Raúl García, Iñaki Williams and Iñigo Córdoba have also scored for Athletic in the José Zorrilla. The last four got on the scoresheet as the lions defeated Real Valladolid 1-4 last season. It was also the last Athletic match to be played out in front of fans, before the Covid-19 took hold.
Squad list: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (Copa semi-final)
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Marcelino has called up all the players for Thursday’s semi-final against Levante UD at the Ciutat de València
Marcelino: “We’re going to give it everything”
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Marcelino previewed Thursday night’s Copa showdown with Levante UD
Going for a third final in 2021
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Athletic face Levante at the Ciutat de Valéncia on Thursday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals (1-1 first leg).
Highlights I Levante UD 1-1 Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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A game of two penalties, as both sides get a point
Marcelino: “A victory for us would’ve been fair”
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Marcelino bemoaned the defensive mistakes that led to Levante’s goal
Athletic held to frustrating draw by Levante
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Despite constantly threatening, Athletic only pick up one point from a match where both goals came from the penalty spot
Confirmed line-ups: Levante UD vs Athletic Club
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The XI’s for tonight’s LaLiga match at the Ciutat de Valéncia
Global TV Guide: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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When and where to watch Athletic’s upcoming LaLiga match against Levante UD
Marcelino: “We’re focused on winning tomorrow”
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Marcelino looks ahead to Friday night’s LaLiga Santander match against Levante UD
Squad list: Levante UD vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 25)
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Marcelino has called up 23 players for Friday night’s clash with Levante UD at the Ciutat de València