The 2013-14 campaign delivered a sensational return to European elite football for Athletic Bilbao, with Los Leones surging to a 4th-place finish in La Liga under manager Ernesto Valverde. This finish secured a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, a true high point in the debut season of the new San Mamés stadium, which quickly became a fortress. Leading the charge was veteran striker Aritz Aduriz, whose 16 league goals (18 overall) proved vital. The campaign was built on dynamic, exciting play from emerging stars like Iker Muniain and Aymeric Laporte, alongside the command of midfielders Ander Iturraspe and Ander Herrera, and remains a defining, triumphant chapter in the club's modern history.