Levante UD: an unknown quantity in the Copa

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.