Athletic Club captain Iker Muniain is on fire. Over the past month the playmaker has set up eight goals for his team, beating his previous records for entire seasons in February alone.
Marcelino García Toral’s arrival as manager in January, aside from overseeing the victorious Supercopa campaign, has led to a massive confidence boost across the first-team squad.
The Lions have been playing attractive, exciting football which has seen them score 24 goals in nine matches.
What’s more, Athletic are one step away from reaching a consecutive Copa del Rey final.
Without a doubt, Iker Muniain has been one of the main beneficiaries of this new project. His contribution over the past month has been decisive for the Lions.
Taking a leading role in the Rojiblancos’ attack, Muniain assisted eight goals between January 17 to February 15, the best month of his entire career.
His first two assists of this period came in the Supercopa final against Barcelona. It was Muniain’s delivery which helped Asier Villalibre equalise in the 93rd minute, and Muniain played the ball to Iñaki Williams before the striker hit the back of the net for the winner.
Two days later it was a Muniain delivery which led to Raúl García‘s goal against Ibiza in the Copa. The next two assists came in similar circumstances, as he put the ball on a plate for Rául García and centre-back Yeray in the 5-1 LaLiga Santander win over Getafe.
His streak continued in the Copa win against Alcoyano, with Williams on the receiving end of a Muniain pass and Iñigo Martínez scored from a Muniain corner with a thumping header in the first leg of the Copa semi-finals.
The playmaker’s most recent assist came last weekend against Cádiz as he set up Alex Berenguer‘s second goal of the match with an intelligent chip over the defence.
Marcelino: “To win a final you have to do much more”
First Team
The coach expressed his disappointment after the defeat against Barça: “We are sad because, once again, we didn’t compete at our maximum level.”
Dani García: “We apologise to the fans”
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A devastated Dani Garcia asked for forgiveness after the second Copa defeat of the month
Balenziaga: “We’ll keep trying”
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The Athletic defender offered his thoughts on the Copa defeat
Athletic defeated by FC Barcelona in the Copa final
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The Lions conceded four goals in a fateful 12-minute spell in the second half
Half-time: Athletic Club 0 – FC Barcelona 0
First Team
The 2020-21 Cup final will be decided after half-time following a first half dominated by Barça, but in which Iñigo Martínez could have scored
Copa 2020-21 Final. Confirmed line-ups
First Team
Athletic Club and FC Barcelona have announced their XI’s for tonight’s Copa 2020-21 final at La Cartuja. Kick-off, 21:30 CEST
The mood in Bilbao before the final
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Athletic fans, hoping and praying the Lions will win the final, have painted the city of Bilbao red and white
De Marcos: “We’re very excited and hopeful”
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The Athletic Club veteran speaks about what it would mean to win the Copa against FC Barcelona
Marcelino: “Head and heart. That’s they key to victory”
First Team
Marcelino is confident ahead of the big game against Barça: “We are very hopeful we can bring the Copa back to Bilbao.”
Muniain: “We’ll go out full of confidence”
First Team
The captain is hopeful about Athletic’s chances as he spoke to the media ahead of the Copa final against FC Barcelona