The 2014-15 campaign was a memorable year of cup runs for Athletic Bilbao as Los Leones, under manager Ernesto Valverde, reached the Copa del Rey Final and competed in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 16 years, ultimately finishing 7th in La Liga. Leading the charge was the prolific veteran striker Aritz Aduriz, whose 18 league goals (26 in all competitions, earning him the Zarra Trophy) proved vital in a campaign built on domestic cup ambition and a high-profile return to European elite competition. This season's runner-up spot in the Copa del Rey directly led to Los Leones' triumphant Supercopa de España victory in August 2015, marking a crucial, trophy-winning chapter in the club's modern history.