Iker Casillas: the 'lion tamer'

Since Iker Casillas made his debut against Athletic at San Mamés, on 12th September 1999, Bilbao hasn't faced any other goalkeeper between the sticks for Real Madrid in Spanish league action. The Athletic 'lions' have been locking fangs with the same shotstopper for 13 years, i.e. 26 games on the trot. An 18-year-old Iker was in goal in 1999 and he will be there again today, looking as fresh-faced as ever at the age of 31.
Casillas has clocked up 18 wins, 6 defeats and two draws against Athletic – talk about a lion tamer! He has witnessed several changes of guard in the Bilbao ranks during this period. In his maiden outing, the likes of Lacruz, Alkorta, Ferreira, Julen Guerrero, Urrutia – now the club president – and Etxeberria lined up against him. Del Horno, Yeste, Alkiza, Javi González and Urzaiz stepped up to the plate in 02-03. A few years later, Gabilondo, Iraola, Sarriegi, Orbaiz and Aduriz came into the limelight, and now he finds himself waging battle with Llorente, Muniain, De Marcos, Susaeta and company.
While Casillas has remained a fixture in this fixture for Real Madrid, five different Athletic GKs have taken on 'Los Blancos' in the league over the last 13 years: Imanol Etxeberria, Iñaki Lafuente, Aranzubia, Armando and Iraizoz.
Athletic isn't the only club Casillas has been a mainstay against in 'La Liga'. Valencia is another example – the Madrid captain has kept goal for 27 consecutive league matches against 'Los Che'. The 'keeper has also missed just one out of 26 encounters with arch-rivals Barcelona: the match at the Camp Nou in the second half of the 01-02 season, when César featured.