This Sunday at 21:00 CET, Athletic Club host Villarreal CF at San Mamés for their LaLiga 2020-21 Matchday 24 fixture.
The two sides have clashed at The Cathedral in LaLiga Santander on 20 occasions since the Groguets first visited back in 1998-99. Since then the Lions have won eight matches, drawn six and lost six against Sunday’s visitors.
Athletic’s first official match against Villarreal in LaLiga dates back to May 16, 1999. However, two seasons beforehand the Rojiblancos had knocked the Castellon-based side out of the Copa (0-1 in El Madrigal and 2-2 at San Mamés).
In their first league match, Villarreal CF -led by José Antonio Irulegui-, faced Luis Fernández’s Athletic in a match which the Lions won 2-0. Julen Guerrero and Santi Ezquerro, who scored with a bicycle-kick from outside the box, were on the scoresheet that evening.
A minute’s silence for Zarra
Fifteen years have passed since Athletic Club legend Telmo Zarra passed away. The death of the top goalscorer in the Club’s history occurred three days before this fixture in the 2005-06 season. To honour the former striker, a moving minute’s silence was held in The Cathedral just before kick-off.
In the 2014-15 season, Athletic bid adieu to iconic right-back Andoni Iraola with a 4-0 win over Villarreal at The Cathedral. It was a fitting send-off for the legend, who is fourth in the Club’s all-time appearance makers list (510), as he managed to get on the scoresheet for his 38th and final goal as a Lion.
Final match with fans at San Mamés
The most recent Athletic vs Villarreal took place on March 1, 2020. Unbeknownst to all in attendance, it was to be the last match with fans in the stands, as the global COVID-19 pandemic has left stadiums completely empty ever since. On the day, Rául García saw Athletic to a 1-0 win which ended a ten-match winless streak. What’s more, The Cathedral also celebrated José Ángel Iribar’s 77th birthday, with an emotional clip being aired on the San Mamés’ video scoreboards.
Global TV Guide: Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid (LaLiga Matchday 32)
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Kick-off times and worldwide broadcasters for the upcoming LaLiga Santander clash with Atlético Madrid
Highlights I Real Betis 0-0 Athletic Club I LaLiga Matchday 31
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A round up of all the best moments from Athletic’s LaLiga Santander match against Real Betis
Marcelino: “In difficult moments you can also grow”
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Marcelino praised his players’reaction in their first game back after the the Copa: “We dominated Betis, but we couldn’t score.”
Draw on the road against Real Betis
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Athletic troubled Bravo in the final stretch of a game in which they had an extra player for 80 minutes due to Fekir’s dismissal
Confirmed line-ups: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 31)
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The XIs for tonight’s LaLiga Santander Matchday 31 fixture at the Benito Villamarín. Kick-off, 20:00 CEST
Iñigo Martínez medical report
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The player has not travelled to Seville for Wednesday night’s match against Real Betis
First team medical report
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Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche and Iker Muniain join the injury list and will not be available for Wednesday’s match against Real Betis
Squad list: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 31)
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The 19 players named for the LaLiga Santander clash with Real Betis
Marcelino: “LaLiga shows the level you’re at, we must improve”
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Marcelino wants the team to “recover mentally” and “compete at the highest possible level” until the end of the season
Global TV Guide: Real Betis vs Athletic Club (LaLiga Matchday 31)
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How to watch Athletic’s upcoming LaLiga Santander match against Real Betis