On Monday 17th October 2011 I saw an incredible performance. “Fair enough,” I hear you say. “Tune into enough games and you’ll witness an incredible performance by a certain player.” And it’s true, many have made it a ritual to tune into Barca games and see flawless performance after flawless performance by Lionel Messi. But this was different; this was incredible performance was by an 18 year old. I had seen Muniain before in Spain U-21 European Championship winning team last summer but he hadn’t impressed me to this extent.

There was a standing ovation at San Mames when Iker Muniain was taken off after 75 minutes. I was watching the game on my own in my room and when I saw him being taken off I had to stand up and applaud with them. I had to appreciate what I had just witnessed. I had watched the game to research how Athletic Bilbao were progressing under Marcelo Bielsa. Sure, I expected something resembling fluid football, intense pressing in all areas of the pitch and some ultramega crazy formations, but I wasn’t prepared for an incredible individual performance.

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