║ La Liga Season 2014-15 ║

DavidVilla · Apr 2, 2015

Elche players and staff cancel club commitments

1 April 2015 17:28

Elche's players and staff have cancelled all official non-playing commitments amid reports of failure to pay salaries.

The Liga strugglers are reported to have not paid wages for the past two months and now action has been taken in protest.

A statement on Elche's official website read: "The players and members of the technical staff of the first team squad of Elche CF wish to publicly state that as of today [Wednesday] and until the institutional situation of the club is resolved, players and staff will not participate in any public event, press conference or any other act that comprises institutional representation of Elche CF."

Fran Escriba's Elche are 15th in table and just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Casillas · Apr 2, 2015

Pique expecting Messi to be fit to face Celta

1 April 2015 17:51

Gerard Pique expects Lionel Messi to be fit for Barcelona's trip to Celta Vigo despite his foot injury.

Messi missed Argentina's friendly victories over El Salvador and Ecuador due to swelling on his right foot, but Pique expects the 27-year-old to return for his club this weekend.

"I'm optimistic about Messi," said the defender. "I spoke with him and I think he'll be able to play at Balaidos [Celta's ground].

"But it depends on how he feels this week.

"It's the team doctors who have to decide. But from what I can gather, he'll be okay."

Suarez · Apr 2, 2015

La Liga Preview: Sevilla working on new Emery deal ahead of Bilbao´s visit

1 April 2015 09:45

Athletic Bilbao will be aiming for a sixth consecutive win in La Liga on Saturday when they visit Sevilla, who are confident of re-signing coach Unai Emery.

Sevilla president Jose Castro insists he is actively negotiating with Emery to keep the 43-year-old at the club beyond this season, but denied those talks will distract the team or their coach.

Emery has been in charge of Sevilla since January 2013 and, although he has been linked with Milan, Castro is confident the former Almeria, Valencia and Spartak Moscow boss will still be at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next term.

"He is very happy with us; we are in discussions with him to extend his contract," Castro told Sevilla's website.

"No rush...we are now focused on what is important, which are these 10 exciting days in the league.

"What we have to go is all in the same direction. We do not stop the negotiations but we focus on what's important...in football anything can happen but I think [he will stay] in view of what he says, and how happy he is here."

Fifth-placed Sevilla will look to strengthen their bid for a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League when they host Bilbao on Saturday, but will come up against the form side of La Liga.

Bilbao have risen from 13th to eighth in the standings during their winning run and are now only five points behind Malaga in seventh.

Sevilla are in the midst of their own winning streak of three matches, yet they may be concerned about their recent record against Bilbao.

In the past eight meetings between the two sides, Bilbao have won six times, although only one of those successes came away from home.

Real Madrid will hope to bounce back from their Clasico defeat from before the international break when they host relegation-threatened Granada.

Abel Resino's Granada have not won in their past 12 away games in La Liga.

Should Real suffer a surprise slip-up, leaders Barcelona can extend their four-point lead over Carlo Ancelotti's men when they visit Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Valencia, who sit third, face sixth-placed Villarreal in one of the weekend's standout matches, while reigning champions Atletico Madrid are on the road at bottom club Cordoba.

Eibar and Rayo Vallecano will start the round's action on Friday, while Espanyol face Elche in the last match on Monday.

In other fixtures, Almeria host Levante, Malaga take on Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna visit Getafe.

MarceloVieira · Apr 6, 2015

La Liga Review: Sevilla saunter past Bilbao, Barral hat-trick lifts Levante

4 April 2015

Sevilla chalked up a fourth straight La Liga win to continue their push for a UEFA Champions League spot, while Levante's David Barral scored a hat-trick in a crucial relegation battle.

In Seville, the hosts cruised to a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao - Aleix Vidal's third-minute goal added to by Carlos Bacca in the 21st minute.

Adding injury to insult for Bilbao was a left-knee sprain to attacker Iker Muniain, who was stretchered from the field late in the first half.

Sevilla kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive time in the Spanish top flight, closing to within two points of Valencia - who occupy the fourth and final UEFA Champions League place.

Valencia play Villarreal on Sunday - and a win would see them climb back above Atletico Madrid, who were victorious on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's champions won 2-0 at Cordoba to move back into third place, with Antoine Griezmann and Saul scoring first-half goals.

Meanwhile, Barral was the toast of Levante as he fired them clear of the relegation zone in a 4-1 win over Almeria.

The treble was Barral's second in his past eight appearances, and he has scored 10 goals in 11 matches in all competitions.

The 31-year-old was twice assisted by Andreas Ivanschitz, before sealing his hat-trick in the 75th minute.

The comprehensive victory sent Levante to 28 points, three clear of relegation-placed Almeria.

Real Sociedad's winning streak ended at three games, but they fought back to earn a point at Malaga in a 1-1 stalemate.

Recio's 55th-minute opener had looked to have given Javi Gracia's men all three points, which would have left them two points behind Villarreal - who occupy a UEFA Europa League spot.

Instead, they are four points outside of Europe - plus Villarreal have a game in hand - after Ruben Pardo's 83rd-minute equaliser for Sociedad.

Casillas · Apr 6, 2015

La Liga Review: Barca maintain lead after Ronaldo inspires Real blitz

5 April 2015

Barcelona remain four points clear at the top of La Liga as they and Real Madrid posted starkly contrasting victories on Sunday.

Real featured in the early kick-off at The Santiago Bernabeu, and promptly ran riot against a beleaguered Granada side, triumphing 9-1.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the main scourge, netting five times in a ruthless display of clinical finishing in Madrid.

Having seen Gareth Bale open the scoring in the 25th minute, Ronaldo scored three times in eight minutes to net his fastest hat-trick for the club.

After the break, his fourth was sandwiched by a brace for Karim Benzema and after Robert Ibanez's consolation for Granada, a Diego Mainz own goal and Ronaldo's fifth - his 300th for Real on his 287th appearance - sealed the most emphatic of victories.

In comparison, Barca's 1-0 triumph at Celta Vigo was anything but convincing.

Celta, who won 1-0 at Camp Nou in the reverse fixture earlier this season, looked dangerous for long periods but were eventually beaten when Jeremy Mathieu headed in Xavi's free-kick with 17 minutes to go.

Late on, Celta saw Fabian Orellana bizarrely sent off for throwing a lump of grass at Sergio Busquets, which struck the midfielder in the neck.

Elsewhere, Getafe defeated Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 to pull themselves seven points clear of danger and leave their opponents just a point above the drop zone, while Valencia missed out on the chance to climb back into third as they were held 0-0 at home by Villarreal.

Ochoa · Apr 6, 2015

Bale has got his confidence back - Ancelotti

4 April 2015

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the recent international break has enabled forward Gareth Bale to regain his confidence.

Bale has come in for heavy criticism from media and fans alike in Spain for his recent performances.

His display in the 2-1 Clasico loss against Barcelona attracted particular scorn, with the former Tottenham man's car attacked by supporters following that defeat.

However, Bale netted a double for Wales last Saturday against Israel, a brace that served as a timely reminder of why Real shelled out a club-record fee to secure his services.

"His last few games have been good. He scored against Levante and his first half performance against Barcelona was important for us," Ancelotti said.

"After that, he did a great game for Wales. The international break has helped him to rebuild his confidence."

His next chance to impress will come against Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, when Real will hope to put the Barca defeat firmly behind them.

Jorge · Apr 6, 2015

Ronaldo joins Real greats in 300 club

5 April 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to 300 goals for Real Madrid on Sunday as he scored five times in their 9-1 rout of Granada.

The Ballon d'Or holder registered an eight-minute hat-trick before half-time - the quickest treble of his Real career - and then added two more after the break at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo's fifth goal - an injury-time header - took him to 300 goals for the club, making him the third player to achieve that feat after Real legends Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Former Spain skipper Raul scored 323 goals in 741 games for Real, while Di Stefano's tally stands at 308 from 396 outings.

Ronaldo reached the 300 mark in an astounding 287 games, with 214 of those goals coming in La Liga. The Portugal captain has 60 to his name in the UEFA Champions League, as well as 21 in the Copa del Rey, three in the Supercopa de Espana and two in the European Super Cup.

After his stunning display on Sunday, Ronaldo tweeted: "Happy to have scored 5 goals with this excellent team work. Thank you for all your support."

Ronaldo now sits eighth in La Liga's all-time scoring charts, having overtaken Pahino, who scored 211 times in 278 games for Real, Celta Vigo and Deportivo La Coruna in the 1940s and 50s.

Simeone · Apr 6, 2015

Simeone delighted with ruthless Atletico

4 April 2015

Diego Simeone praised Atletico Madrid's ruthless efficiency as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Cordoba in La Liga on Saturday.

Atletico's hopes of retaining their title look slim, but they did their best to put pressure on Barcelona and Real Madrid courtesy of goals from Antoine Griezmann and Saul.

The defending champions had three points effectively secured after 40 minutes, much to the delight of Simeone, who has not given up hope of overtaking city rivals Real in second.

"The best thing of our team was how it took the field, how it interpreted the game and then controlled it," said the Argentine head coach. "That allowed us to handle the match in a calm fashion.

"We need the group to understand that we are going to need everyone and it has to be ready.

"It doesn't matter if it's for 10, 20 or 60 minutes.

"What matters is playing well when we need them because I believe that everyone in the squad is important."

Atletico could find themselves five points adrift of Real again on Sunday should Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Granada, while leaders Barca travel to Celta Vigo.

DavidVilla · Apr 6, 2015

Almeria sack Martinez

5 April 2015

Almeria have sacked Juan Ignacio Martinez after a seven-match winless run put their La Liga status in jeopardy.

Martinez was dismissed on Sunday in the wake of a 4-1 home loss to the 15th-placed Levante.

The heavy defeat saw Almeria drop into the relegation zone with just nine matches of the season remaining.

The club's hierarchy reacted swiftly, removing Martinez from his post and replacing him with first-team coach Miguel Rivera.

Almeria also sacked Francisco in December in a poor season for the club.

Rivera's first task will be lifting morale ahead of a tough trip to Liga leaders Barcelona on Wednesday.

Suarez · Apr 6, 2015

Luis Enrique praises Barcelona grit

5 April 2015

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique praised his side following a hard-fought 1-0 success at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday.

The Catalan giants came into the clash at Balaidos having seen bitter rivals Real Madrid cut their lead at the top of the table to one point with a 9-1 demolition of Granada.

Celta had beaten Barca 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in November, but this time it was Luis Enrique who got the better of his former club as Jeremy Mathieu nodded in Xavi's free-kick in the 73rd minute.

It was a crucial goal on the back of a less-than impressive Barca performance, but the coach praised his players for grinding out the victory.

"It has cost a lot," he said. "We believe that they are important points because of the difficulty [of the game].

"To win this way reinforces the squad and prepares us for what's left."

Matchwinner Mathieu added: "It was a difficult game, but sometimes matches are won with small details.

"Sometimes you have to suffer, but the three points are the most important thing."

Ancelotti · Apr 6, 2015

Berizzo slams ´utterly irresponsible´ Orellana for throwing grass

6 April 2015

Celta de Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo labelled striker Fabian Orellana "utterly irresponsible" for throwing grass at Barcelona's Sergio Busquets and getting sent off on Sunday.

Barcelona won 1-0 at Celta's Estadio de Balaidos to stay four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga but had to battle hard to overcome the home side, while the referee also gave Luis Enrique's visitors some help.

Celta striker Nolito believed he should have had a penalty in the first half, while Orellana was shown a red card in the 87th minute after throwing a lump of turf at Busquets - 14 minutes after Jeremy Mathieu had headed the visitors in front.

But Berizzo refused to blame the referee for his team's defeat - their third in four games.

"When you lose it may seem an excuse," the 45-year-old coach told EFE.

According to Berizzo, Orellana's actions were "utterly irresponsible".

"We must leave satisfied because to impose your game against a team like Barcelona, full of fantastic players, we have to reinforce," Celta's boss continued.

"My players deserved more than the 0-1. This match has to be worth us to demonstrate that we can beat anyone."

But Nolito was left frustrated with referee Inaki Bikandi after he claimed Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo brought him down in the box just before half-time.

"For me it's a penalty, I'll have to see on TV," the Spanish forward said.

"I do not know if Bravo touches the ball but I'm sure he trips me."

On the other controversial moment of the match, Busquets insisted Orellana's red card was justified.

"He threw grass at me and the referee expelled him and that's it," Busquets told Sport.

"He apologized later."

Ochoa · Apr 8, 2015

La Liga Preview: Real bullish about title chances

6 April 2015

Fit-again midfielder James Rodriguez says Real Madrid can win their remaining fixtures as the capital club ramp up the pressure on league leaders Barcelona with a midweek clash at Rayo Vallecano.

Rodriguez returned from a broken metatarsal that had sidelined him since February as Real humiliated Granada 9-1 at The Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Real were inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, who bagged a five-goal haul, which included an eight-minute hat-trick in Madrid.

Sunday's win kept Real within four points of top spot after Barcelona edged Celta de Vigo 1-0 later on Sunday.

Despite the gap with nine matches remaining, Real are still hopeful of lifting the league title heading into Wednesday's trip to Estadio del Rayo Vallecano.

"We're all fit now and that's good news if we want to achieve things, irrespective of who plays," Rodriguez is quoted as saying by Marca.

"We've got what it takes to win the lot in La Liga between now and the end of the season, we have the talent and faith to do so."

Real team-mate and full-back Marcelo added: "To get through this, we have to play like we did and try to change Real Madrid's image.

"The team has to always be on top form. Winning all ten games is no utopia; let's just hope that Barcelona slip up."

Barca are also in action on Wednesday, hosting third-bottom Almeria after battling past Celta courtesy of Jeremy Mathieu's header.

"Celta were better than us in the first half but in the second half, with the goal, it was easier," said Mathieu.

"The goal came from a free-kick but sometimes it's also the small details that decide matches. We struggled but the three points are ours."

First-team coach Miguel Rivera will be in the dugout for Almeria's trip to Camp Nou after Juan Ignacio Martinez was sacked on Sunday.

Reigning champions Atletico Madrid kick-off round 30 with a home clash against Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

Atletico assumed control of third spot after edging Cordoba 2-0 on Saturday and seeing Valencia play out a goalless draw with Villarreal.

The Madrid club are a solitary point clear of Valencia, who make the trip to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

"We know that there are nine finals left, that we have to play match-by-match and not think about anyone else. We know that if we win every game we can achieve the objective," said Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez.

In other fixtures during the week, fifth-placed Sevilla go head-to-head with Levante and Malaga will be out to end a two-game winless run when they tackle Eibar.

Cellar-dwelling Cordoba travel to fellow strugglers Deportivo La Coruna and Celta de Vigo will be without Fabian Orellana for their match against Granada after the Chilean was sent off for throwing grass at Sergio Busquets in his side's loss to Barca.

Relegation-threatened Elche entertain Getafe, while Villarreal play Espanyol.

MarceloVieira · Apr 8, 2015

Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid: Points over performances for Ancelotti

6 April 2015

Carlo Ancelotti would gladly accept nine 1-0 victories over the 9-1 battering Real Madrid imposed on Granada as the capital club continue their attempt to overhaul La Liga leaders Barcelona at Rayo Vallecano.

Real slipped four points adrift of Barca after losing El Clasico 2-1 before the international break.

But the European champions were at their irrepressible best at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as - flanked by five goals from superstar Cristiano Ronaldo - Real turned over Granada.

Head coach Ancelotti was understandably elated with the performance of his team, but the Italian is only seeking maximum points - however they come - at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on Wednesday.

"It's simple mathematics. It's better to win nine games 1-0 than one 9-1," he said.

"This [Granada victory] is just one game and we have other important ones coming up. On Wednesday we need to be fully focused like we were."

The clash marks the second of three games in the space of seven days for Real, but Ancelotti sees no benefit in rotating a winning team unless injury necessitates changes.

"The team are very fresh," he added. "Resting players for the sake of resting them makes no sense. The players will rest when they are tired and there is a risk of injury.

"The team are in great shape. We have never been in such good physical shape, especially not last year. I can't use 12 players. If someone isn't 100 per cent [fit], he won't play."

One of the most pleasing aspects for Real against Granada was the form of attacking trio Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

Bale opened the scoring, while Benzema was also on target twice. The French striker described Ronaldo as a "phenomenon" after the game and says the threesome are capable of keeping up their form in the last nine matches of the campaign.

"We are helping the team, sometimes we score and sometimes we don't, but we are in good shape to continue like this until the end of the season," he said.

Rayo's recent record against their Madrid neighbours has been abysmal, with Real winning the past 13 La Liga contests between the two teams – including a 5-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture in November.

But Paco Jemez's men are in a team in form having won four of their past five Liga matches and Alberto Bueno has been at the forefront of their run with eight goals in his last five outings.

The forward is relishing the Real showdown, saying: "We are not afraid, far from it. We are very excited and looking forward to the games."

AtleticoMadrid · Apr 8, 2015

Barcelona v Almeria: Sergi set for daunting first game in charge

6 April 2015

Former Barcelona defender Sergi faces a baptism of fire when he takes charge of struggling Almeria for the first time against La Liga leaders at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The ex-Spain left-back, winner of three league titles and the Copa del Rey twice in his playing days at Barca, was on Monday installed as successor to Juan Ignacio Martinez at the relegation-threatened Andalusian club until the end of the season.

Sergi, who began his coaching career at Barca, takes charge of a side languishing in the relegation zone after a run of seven matches without a win.

Almeria were hammered 4-1 at home by Levante on Saturday and Sergi will not be expecting any favours from his former employers in midweek.

While Almeria wonder where their next victory is coming from, Barca have won all but one of their last 20 games and are in the hunt to win the treble in Luis Enrique's first season at the helm.

Jeremy Mathieu was an unlikely Barca goalscorer for the second successive game on Sunday, securing a slender 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo to keep his side four points clear of Real Madrid.

Mathieu has formed an impressive partnership with Gerard Pique at the heart of the Barca defence and the France defender is relishing playing alongside the World Cup and European Championship winner.

He said: "Playing with Pique is very simple; he's outstanding. It's amazing to play with him."

Mathieu is also savouring the quest for honours on three fronts in his first season at the club.

He added: "It was important to start well after the break, and at Celta we knew it wouldn't be easy.

"In the first half we couldn't find any outlets and they were better. In the second half we figured it out and were much better.

"These three points are very important because there are fewer and fewer matches left until the end of La Liga.

"The coming week is very difficult. We have a tough schedule but we can't complain. We're alive in the Champions League, we lead the league and we're in the Spanish Cup final."

Javier Mascherano is set to return from suspension, while Jordi Alba is battling to be fit after missing out against Celta due to a hamstring injury.

Casillas · Apr 8, 2015

Espanyol 1 Elche 1: Herrera cancels out Garcia stunner

6 April 2015

Cristian Herrera's late equaliser gave Elche a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Espanyol in La Liga on Monday.

Espanyol looked to be on their way to three points courtesy of a superb strike from their captain Sergio Garcia after 17 minutes.

Garcia collected a pass from Abraham and curled an unstoppable left-footed effort beyond Przemyslaw Tyton from 20 yards.

But Elche hung in there, and got their rewards 13 minutes from time when Herrera converted the rebound after Kiko Casilla had made a fine save.

The draw moves Elche three points clear of 18th-placed Almeria with nine games left to play, while Espanyol remain 12th.

Jorge · Apr 8, 2015

Sergi replaces sacked Martinez at Almeria

6 April 2015

Almeria have wasted no time in replacing Juan Ignacio Martinez as coach, hiring former Spain international Sergi to lead them through the last nine games of the Liga season.

Martinez paid for a 4-1 drubbing at home to Levante with his job on Sunday, and less than 24 hours later, Sergi has been installed as the man to turn around their season.

The Andalusian club sit 18th in La Liga, without a win in seven league games.

Sergi, winner of three league titles and two Copa de Rey crowns in his playing days at Camp Nou, has previous coaching experience with Barca's youth teams and Recreativo Huelva, where he spent two years before resigning in May last year.

Mandzukic · Apr 8, 2015

Zidane: Real are monitoring Sterling

6 April 2015

Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Real Madrid are monitoring the situation of Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling.

Sterling's future has been cast in doubt after he rejected a new contract at Anfield, and then said he was flattered to be linked with clubs such as Arsenal.

Real and Bayern Munich are among the clubs linked with a move for the 20-year-old, and Real legend Zidane - now in charge of the Spanish giants' B team and widely expected to be Carlo Ancelotti's long-term successor in the main job - has revealed the European champions are keeping tabs on Sterling.

"We know who Raheem Sterling is, and of course we are monitoring him as a player," Zidane told the Daily Mail.

"There are very few players in the world who can improve the Real Madrid squad, so it is going to make sense we monitor the progress of the best young players in the world.

"We monitored [Gareth] Bale for over a year, the same with Isco and also [Raphael] Varane.

"We monitor many of the best young players in Europe, then if we feel they have something to offer Real Madrid we will contact their club and try and make the next step."

Ancelotti · Apr 8, 2015

Bale to be assessed ahead of Rayo trip

7 April 2015

Real Madrid will give Gareth Bale as much time as possible to be fit for their trip to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Wednesday.

The Wales international suffered a foot injury during Real's 9-1 destruction of Granada on Sunday, but head coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes he will be fit for their next league encounter.

"Bale has had a problem with his left foot," said the Italian. "We will assess him tomorrow and then decided on the starting line-up."

Real's weekend victory kept them in touch with Barcelona at the top of the table, and Ancelotti hopes they maintain their form against the unpredictable Rayo.

"It will be a complicated, as always with matches against Rayo," he added. "They are a team with a very clear idea of the game, who are well organised.

"It is important for us to have the same attitude as we did against Granada. It is sure to be a tough game.

"Vallecano are a team that has the quality to try to control the game with possession and pace. It will be more complicated.

"But I have at my disposal the best squad in the world and I am confident that this season will end well."

Simeone · Apr 8, 2015

No worries over Messi fitness - Luis Enrique

7 April 2015

Luis Enrique says he did not take a risk by naming Lionel Messi in Barcelona's starting XI for the win at Celta Vigo amid injury concerns.

Messi played the full game at Balaidos as Barca won 1-0 despite having missed Argentina's friendlies against El Salvador and Ecuador during the international break due to foot problems.

Barca had hinted the forward was likely to feature in Sunday's clash and Luis Enrique insisted there was no concerns surrounding his appearance.

Asked whether Wednesday's clash with Almeria was an ideal time to give Messi a rest, he explained: "Maybe it is, maybe not.

"We know what condition our players are in and I can guarantee we do everything to care for the players.

"We don't run risks regarding injuries but what I will say is Barca fans, don't worry. We know what we're doing with our players.

"We get rumours that people like to stir up but I don't have anything to say about that."

Barca's win at the weekend leaves them four points clear of Real Madrid going into the final nine games.

With sections of the Madrid press urging talk of a resurrection for Real's title bid after their 9-1 win over Granada, Luis Enrique added: "What is said in the press doesn't concern us.

"We're in a very privileged position but the tournament has varied over the course of the season. We're in a strong position but we need to keep doing our job. As long as we win teams can't catch us up.

"If you think too far ahead you tend to forget about the task at hand. We need to repeat what we've been doing all season against Almeria.

"It's a very crucial game for winning the league, I'm going to need 11 great players, I want to put out 11 players that guarantee three points."

DavidVilla · Apr 8, 2015

Athletic´s Muniain out for six months with ligament injury

7 April 2015

Athletic Bilbao's Iker Muniain is set for six months on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

The club initially announced that the forward had suffered a sprained left knee during Saturday's 2-0 La Liga defeat to Sevilla.

But, following an MRI scan on Tuesday, it has now been confirmed that Muniain will be out until at least October with the problem.

Additionally, tests have revealed midfielder Ander Iturraspe has torn his adductor muscle, although Bilbao have not yet said how long his recovery will take.

Athletic are eighth in La Liga, 11 points adrift of a UEFA Europa League place.

║ La Liga Season 2014-15 ║

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