Athletic's Iker Muniain returns with a goal 193 days later
Muniain returned from an injury to score in the 3-1 win against Villarreal
Athletic Club forward Iker Muniain returned from injury on Monday at the Villarreal's Estadio de la Cerámica after 193 days out of action following ligament damage in his knee.
Muniain picked up the injury in the Europa League game against Zorya Luhansk on Sept. 28 but was on the score sheet as he made a dream return to action.
He began Athletic's last game in the bench against Celta, nine days ago, but before then had missed a total of 34 games (24 in the league, eight in Europe and two in the Copa del Rey) over seven months.
Athletic took an early lead at Villarreal through Inigo Cordoba and doculed their advantage after the break through Inaki Williams.
Villarreal looked to mount a comeback and got back into the game through Carlos Bacca, only for Muniain, on as a substitute in the 75th minute, to wrap up the three points for the Basque side.
It's the second time Muniain's come back from a similar injury. The first time he injured ligaments was against Sevilla three years ago -- on that occasion he was out for 260 days.
Athletic climb to 12th with the win, back above rivals Real Sociedad, while Villarreal slump to sixth, below Real Betis.
