The 2009-10 campaign was a season of attacking brilliance for Athletic Bilbao, with Los Leones securing a respectable 8th-place finish in La Liga under manager Joaquín Caparrós. Leading the charge was the powerful centre-forward Fernando Llorente, whose 14 league goals, part of his 23 overall, made him a genuine star, particularly with his eight goals in the UEFA Europa League. This season, played at the historic San Mamés and featuring the emerging talent of a young Iker Muniain, also saw the club reach the Supercopa de España Final, cementing it as a defining chapter in the club's modern history of pushing for European relevance.