Athletic Club host Levante UD at 21:00 on Thursday night in the Copa Del Rey 2020-21 semi-finals. The two-legged tie kicks off in Bilbao at San Mamés and the second leg will be played in the first week of March at the Ciutat de Valencia.
It is a tie with a short history in the Copa, as the two sides have only ever faced off once in the competition.
The first and last time Athletic and Levante were drawn against each other in the Copa was in 1946-47, with the Rojiblancos coming out on top in their round-of-16 fixture.
The first leg, played at San Mamés, is well remembered for an incredible performance by Athletic’s legendary striker Panizo. Despite being 0-2 down after 20 minutes, the Lions won the fixture 6-2, Panizo scoring all six of Athletic’s goals.
Panizo scored his first four goals in 17 first-half minutes (24′,31′,37′ and 48′), the first coming from the penalty spot. The striker completed his rout in the final quarter of the match. He scored another penalty in the 73rd minute and netted his last goal of the game in the 81st minute.
In the second leg, Los Leones made good on the advantage they had gained at San Mamés and, despite losing 4-2, they went through to the quarter-finals, thanks to goals from Zarra and Gainza.
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
A big week against Levante
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Athletic will face Levante twice in six days, starting with a LaLiga fixture on Friday (21:00 CET)
Raúl García: “The more difficult the challenge, the better”
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After extending his contract with Athletic Club until 2022, Raúl García expressed his intention to keep going “as long as he was up to the task of competing for this Club”