Aitor Herrera - Back In Bilbao

[Klippybo]

SEPTEMBER

​​v

​​Atletico Madrid 1 (Griezmann 31)
Athletic Bilbao 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

Not good enough. Last season Atletico Madrid were the only side to beat us and here they are beating us in game week 3 of the league season.

--

UEFA Champions League Group E

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 0
Liverpool 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Munoz (Jimenez), J.Prieto, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar

Two games in a row without scoring and another match that we fail to win - things are going the shape of pears. Martinez got injured and is out for a few weeks and Williams is out for a month. At least we didn't lose I suppose.

--

v

​​Celta Vigo 0
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 37, Iribar 69)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (M.Alvarez de Lara), Zerhouni, Munoz (Goni), Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain*, Iribar

Back to winning ways. Celta matched us in truth but a fine finish from Muniain and a scrappy goal from Iribar won us the match.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 1 (Iribar 26)
Barcelona 1 (Berge 90)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (M. Alvarez de Lara), Zerhouni, A. Alvarez de Lara, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!! We almost had a great win but we conceded in stoppage time to drop 2pts. With Munoz and Williams injured Alvaro Jesus Alvarez de Lara came into the side and did ok.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 3 (Iribarren 17, Munoz 26, Goni 28)
Alaves 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Zerhouni, Munoz, Iribarren* (M. Alvarez de Lara), Muniain (Cordoba), Goni (Jimenez)

The first 30min here was crazy. Inigo Martinez had a goal disallowed, we took the lead, Zerhouni got sent-off and then we scored 2 in 3min. In the 2nd half they missed a penalty.

--

UEFA Champions League Group E
v

​​Inter Milan 1 (Arias 54)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Munoz 50)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia (Nunez), Merino, Zerhouni (J.Prieto), Munoz, Iribarren, Muniain, Goni (Cordoba)

Another draw and considering Inter lost to Lyon first time out I am a bit concerned.

--

SUMMARY

I am not happy. This month was a struggle as we lost to Atletico Madrid, conceded a last minute equaliser to Barcelona and failed to win any of our 1st 2 Champions League games. We did win a couple but we are not playing at a level that befits a team of our standing.

We do have injuries I suppose but I expect my players to perform far better than they have been.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
NOBODY!!!!!!!

--

LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 59019
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--

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SPAIN

Friendly
​​

v

​​Spain 5 (Grimaldo 29, Williams 52, 73, Iribar 80, 90)
Argentina 2 (Icardi 16, Maroni 90)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin (Perdomo), Vallejo, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Grimaldo (Moreno), Merino (Martinez), Roberto, Williams*, Iribarren (Suso), Asensio, Morata (Iribar)

A fantastic victory and performance. My Athletic players, Nunez and Perdomo, made their international debuts here.

--

UEFA Nations League Division A Group 4

v

​​Spain 1 (Iribarren 45)
France 1 (Rabiot 60)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Vallejo, Inigo Martinez, Moreno (Gaya), Merino, Roberto, Isco, Iribarren*, Williams (Suso), Iribar (Morata)

Poland are the lightweights in this group so we had to avoid defeat here and we did so. Jose Gaya got his 1st cap for his country here.

​

 

[Klippybo]

OCTOBER

​​v

Valencia 0
Athletic Bilbao 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, M. Alvarez de Lara, Munoz, Iribarren, Muniain, Iribar (Goni) (Cordoba)

Normally I would be content with a draw away to Valencia but our start to the season has been so poor it just adds to our problems.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 3 (Thea og17, Muniain 20, Goni 71pen)
Malaga 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino*, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren, Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

That's better. We were always in control here and got a deserved victory.

--

UEFA Champions League Group E
v

​​Lyon 1 (Depay 27)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Bertrand og10, Munoz 50, Iribarren 53)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte (Nunez), Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Munoz*, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

We finally get going in our Champions League group. We took a fortunate lead and were pegged back but we scored 2 quick goals in the 2nd half to win us the match.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iribar 6pen, Muniain 16, 25, Goni 80)
Cadiz 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia (Elustondo), Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams, Iribarren, Muniain*, Iribar (Goni)

That's much better. We thump Cadiz here and hopefully we can take this level of performance into our next league game....... against Real Madrid!

--

Copa del Rey 4th Round 1st Leg
v

​​Racing Santander 1 (Barco 50)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (J.Prieto 7, Goni 21, Munoz 60)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Iriondo (Garmendia), Zerhouni*, M. Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz, J.Prieto, Cordoba (Castillo), Goni

Out came my youngsters and backups here and we won easily enough. This game is perfectly timed as I get to rest my first choice team for the next game against Real Madrid.

--

v

​​Real Madrid 1 (Lemar 90)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Iribar 38)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams (Goni), Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar

Yet again we concede a last minute equaliser. This is getting silly as we have dropped 2pts to both Barcelona and now Real Madrid in stoppage time.

--

SUMMARY

I am still not happy at how things are going. Sure we were unbeaten this month but I am not at all pleased with how we are playing. We are drawing far too many games both at home and abroad and we are really struggling at the moment.

In the league we are fortunate that both Real and Barcelona have somehow had worse starts to the season than us and we sit 3rd in the table 5pts behind Atletico Madrid.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
IKER MUNIAIN
View attachment 58940
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LEAGUE TABLE
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SPAIN

UEFA Nations League Group A Division 4

v

​​Poland 1 (Bereszynski 90pen)
Spain 2 (Morata 53, Suso 89)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Vallejo, Nunez, Grimaldo (Moreno), Merino (Martinez), Roberto, Isco, Iribarren (Suso), Asensio, Morata*

It was vital that we picked up a win here and that's exactly what we did.

--

Friendly

v

​​Spain 3 (Soler 17, Cordoba 36, Gonzalez og41)
Costa Rica 0

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, (Perdomo) Mere, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Moreno, Martinez (Merino), Soler*, Suso, Williams, Cordoba, Iribar
​

 

[Klippybo]

NOVEMBER

UEFA Champions League Group E

v
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Williams 12, Iribar 17, 67pen)
Lyon 1 (Traore 80)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte (Nunez), Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams*, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain, Iribar

This win puts us top of the group by 3pts as we put in a decent performance. Laporte got injured and is out for a few weeks.

--

v

Villarreal 0
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribar 41, 72)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Nunez, Inigo Martinez (Galarza), Darko Garcia, Merino (J.Prieto), Martinez (Zerhouni), Williams, Iribarren, Muniain, Iribar*

Two decent performances in a row!!!! We were helped when they had a man sent-off after 33min and after that we dominated. Iribar has been banging in the goals this season.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribar 20, Williams 38)
Sporting Gijon 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino*, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar

--

UEFA Champions League Group E
v

Liverpool 0
Athletic Bilbao 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

This was a hard fought match in which for once this season I am happy with a scoreless draw. This point secures qualification for the next round and a point in our next match will secure the group.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 12, Iribar 30)
Sevilla 1 (Marajo 43)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez (Zerhouni), Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

Iribar has scored in our last 5 league games now. Inigo Martinez had a goal disallowed here.

--

Copa del Rey 4th Round 2nd Leg

v
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Zerhouni 5, Munoz 18, Rodriguez og24)
Racing Santander 0
(Agg: 6-1)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Iriondo (Garmendia), Zerhouni*, M. Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz, J.Prieto, Cordoba, Goni (Jimenez)

A nice easy game to round off the month. Munoz has scored 5 goals this season already which is not bad for my backup RW.

--

SUMMARY

November saw us win all of our league games, including some tricky fixtures, and secure qualification in both cups yet we are still not firing on all cylinders and I am at a loss to explain why! Tiredness after the world cup maybe?

However we are 2nd in the league and just a point off the top so I shouldn't be overly worried as Real and Barcelona continue to slip up. We have a fairly kind run of fixtures coming up although we will also have games in hand due to our involvement in the Club Worl Cup.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANDONI IRIBAR
View attachment 58725

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LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58724
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SPAIN

UEFA Nations League Division A Group 4

v

Spain 2 (Morata 54, 78)
Poland 0

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin (Perdomo), Vallejo, Inigo Martinez, Grimaldo, Merino, Martinez, Isco, Iribarren (Ceballos), Asensio (Williams), Morata*

A vital win. AC Milan midfielder Dani Ceballos is the latest debutant.

--

UEFA Nations League Division A Group 4

v

France 2 (Martial 26, 66pen)
Spain 3 (Cordoba 15, Williams 23, Iribar 27)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin (Perdomo), Nunez, Rodri, Moreno, Soler, Roberto (Merino), Williams*, Iribarren (Ceballos), Cordoba, Iribar

AMAZING!!! I had to change the starting XI so I changed tactics to a wide formation with wingers and went with a Bilbao front 4 and it worked a treat as 3 of them scored.

​

 

[Klippybo]

DECEMBER

v

Eibar 0
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iribarren 15, 60, Iribar 34, Fernandez og88)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez (Zerhouni), Williams (Goni), Iribarren*, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar

Finally a great performance domestically!!! Tbh they actually had 16 shots to our 20 so it probably should have been a closer scoreline. Iribar, Muniain and Williams all had to go off with injuries but fortunately none of them were serious.

--

UEFA Champions League Group E

v
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Goni 16, Munoz 33, 90, Cordoba 66)
Inter Milan 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza (Sanchez), Iriondo, Zerhouni, M. Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz*, J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba, Goni

2 great performances in a row!!!! - and this one from my reserves against Inter!!!! Munoz scored another 2, Cordoba finally got his first of the season and Inter finish bottom of the group.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribarren 42, Goni 68)
Girona 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

I could be wrong but I think all of Iribarren's goals this season have been from outside the area. This time it was from a free-kick.

--

FIFA Club World Cup Semi-Final
v

Bloemfontein Celtic 0
Athletic Bilbao (Cordoba 7, Goni 23, J.Prieto 34, Zerhouni 45, I.Prieto 57)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni*, M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz, J.Prieto, Cordoba, Goni

Never ever have I played against these lot in all my years playing football/championship manager (23 btw lol).

--

FIFA Club World Cup Final

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 19, Jimenez 96)
Gremio 2 (Araujo 50, Da Silva 105)
(AET - Athletic Bilbao win 4-3 on penalties)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez (Goni), Darko Garcia, Merino (I.Prieto), Martinez, Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain, Iribar (Jimenez)

We win the Club World Cup. Their 2nd goal was crazy as Arrizabalaga kicked the ball of their player's back and it looped in!

--

v

Levante 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Martinez 43)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Nunez, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez*, Williams, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

Levante are surprisingly 3rd in the table and have that Basque regen striker that Inter paid £34m for on loan and a 33y/o Ander Herrera in their ranks so this was a decent win.

--

v

​​Rayo Vallecano 0
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 17, Iribar 40)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino* (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain, Iribar

--

SUMMARY

This month had plenty going on. In the league we won all our games to end the year in 2nd place with a game in hand over Atletico Madrid while we topped our Champions League group and won the FIFA Club World Cup. I just noticed that we amazingly have only conceded 4 goals so far in the league - quite incredible.

In the cups we have been drawn against Sporting Gijon in the Copa del Rey and in the Champions League we got a favourable draw against Marseille. As for Spain in the Euro Qualifiers we will face Austria, Iceland, Estonia and Latvia.

Also I have a new chairman after the recent elections and he has improved our youth recruitment and our transfer budget - I have £295m to spend on nobody!!!!! Jon Ander Iribarren was named in the World Team of the Year.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
JON ANDER IRIBARREN
View attachment 58718
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LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58717
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[TheBattman]

With 295m going spare I hope you have the best facilities known to man!

 

[Klippybo]

JANUARY

Copa del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg
v

Sporting Gijon 1 (Cesar 61)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 18, Goni 45, 48)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Nunez (Galarza), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams (Munoz), J.Prieto (Jimenez), Muniain*, Goni

Muniain starred here as he scored one and assisted the other two. Williams got injured and is out for a few weeks and joins Inigo Martinez and Iribar in the physio room.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Goni 8, Iribarren 66, Munoz 77)
Real Sociedad 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Nunez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Munoz*, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Goni (Jimenez)

We thump our fiercest rivals here and were never in any danger. Illarramendi got sent-off for them and Munoz scores yet again - it seems like he scores every time he starts!

--

Copa del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg
v

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Munoz 54, Goni 57, 68)
Sporting Gijon 0
(Agg: 6-1)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Iriondo, Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara (Armillas), Munoz, J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba (Castillo), Goni*

Munoz starts - Munoz scores lol

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 7, 44, 55)
Deportivo La Coruna 1 (Cartabia 57)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Nunez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez (J.Prieto), A.Alvarez de Lara, Iribarren, Muniain*, Goni (Jimenez)

A hat-trick for Muniain here as he was superb but conceding a goal was annoying!

--

Copa del Rey Quarter-Final 1st Leg

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribarren 41, A. Alvarez de Lara 45)
Barcelona 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Nunez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, A.Alvarez de Lara, Iribarren*, Muniain (Cordoba), Goni (Jimenez)

We were superb here and really deserved our victory. Iribarren once again scored from outside the area.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 2 (Munoz 58, Cordoba 61)
Atletico Madrid 3 (Griezmann 1, Saul 34, Oxlade-Chamberlain 63)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Nunez (Galarza), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Munoz, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Goni (Iribar)

AAAGGGHHH!!!! Our last 3 domestic defeats have all come at the hands of Atletico and they were lucky here to win. Iribar missed a last minute penalty for us that would have drawn us level but we are 2pts above them with a game in hand.

Oh and Munoz started again and scored again lol.

--

Copa del Rey Quarter-Final 2nd Leg
v

​​Barcelona 2 (Ruiz 15, 37)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Munoz 5)
(Agg: 2-3)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Laporte, Nunez, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni, Martinez, Munoz, J.Prieto (I.Prieto), Cordoba (Castillo), Goni (Jimenez)

I decided to take a risk and play some of my backups and they did a fine job as although we lost we still progress. Munoz started and Munoz scored!!!

--

v

​​Leganes 0
Athletic Bilbao 3 (J.Prieto 3, Conte og22, Castillo 83)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni (I.Prieto), M.Alvarez de Lara (Armillas), Munoz, J.Prieto*, Cordoba (Castillo), Goni

I decided to play my youngsters here as we have a few nightmare fixtures coming up in the next week or two. Munoz started - and got an assist this time.

--

SUMMARY

January really saw the emergence of Mikel Munoz as my backup RW was amazing. He kept on scoring and amazingly has 11 goals so far this season - Inaki Williams has 3 in comparison!!! Munoz is classed as a wonderkid and he also signed a new long term contract.

We end the month top of the league with a game in hand and in the Copa del Rey we did great to knock out Barcelona but Real Madrid lie in wait in the semis.

In the transfer market I rejected a £70m bid from PSG for Inaki Williams which he wasn't too happy about. Also adding to my unhappy player list that includes Iribar (still) and Juan Luis Prieto.

Incoming was 3 regens. A CM I found at Espanyol that I paid £900,000 for. My DoF paid up to £1.4m for an Atletico Madrid winger called Cisse while I loaned another Atletico winger to give him Basque nationality.
View attachment 58665View attachment 58664View attachment 58663

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PLAYER OF THE MONTH
MIKEL MUNOZ
View attachment 58666

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LEAGUE TABLE
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[Klippybo]

With 295m going spare I hope you have the best facilities known to man!

Everything is state of the art!

 

[PelatihDadakan]

Levante are surprisingly 3rd in the table and have that Basque regen striker that Inter paid £34m for on loan and a 33y/o Ander Herrera in their ranks so this was a decent win.

Could we see a screenshoot of his stats please? Thanks.

You always get that good regen. Your AMC could be the next Aitor.

 

[Klippybo]

FEBRUARY

Copa del Rey Semi-Final
v

Real Madrid 1 (Luan 13)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Williams 90)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams*, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

We were pathetic here and but we equalised with an absolutely stunning goal in injury time from Williams as he ran onto a Prieto pass and finished first time across their keeper from the edge of the box into the top corner.

--

v

Barcelona 2 (Suarez 25, Fornals 67)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Cordoba 50, Iribar 82)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams (Munoz), Iribarren (J.Prieto), Cordoba, Iribar

A fantastic draw. We fell behind twice but fought back twice against the run of play. If Barcelona won they would have jumped above us in the league.

--

Copa del Rey Semi-Final 2nd Leg

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribarren 11, Inigo Martinez 25)
Real Madrid 2 (Morelos 5, 77)
(Agg: 3-3 - Real Madrid win on away goals)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni, Martinez (M.Alvarez de Lara), Williams (Munoz), Iribarren*, Cordoba, Iribar (Goni)

Our hold on the Copa del Rey is brief as Real knock us out here on away goals. I am incredibly disappointed as we would have played Deportivo in the final and would surely have won that.

--

v

Alaves 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Iribarren 19)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams (Munoz), Iribarren, Cordoba*, Iribar (Goni)

We actually came into this match 3rd in the table but our narrow victory put us back on top.

--

UEFA Champions League 1st Round 1st Leg
v

Marseille 1 (Torres 79)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Merino 90pen)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain, Iribar (Cordoba)

We did enough to win this match but we didn't take our chances. That being said I am delighted with our last minute penalty as Merino got his 1st goal of the season and our vital away goal.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Paredes og84)
Celta Vigo 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams*, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

We laboured to victory here but got the bit of luck required and took the points.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Laporte 40, 63)
Real Betis 1 (Mujica 90)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte*, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Munoz, Iribarren (J.Prieto), Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

This was our all important game in hand and we sneaked it thanks to 2 goals from an unlikely goalscorer.

--

v
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribarren 74, Cordoba 76)
Valencia 1 (Cancelo 38)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams (Zerhouni), Iribarren*, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

A great comeback here as we were shocking in truth. The last few games have all been poor performances and Iribar, Muniain, Williams and to a certain extent Iribarren have all been struggling.

--

SUMMARY

A strange month. On the whole it was disappointing as we really struggled to put in any decent performances and we were eliminated from the Copa del Rey yet somehow we were unbeaten!!!

I cant put my finger on why all of a sudden our performances have dipped but it goes to show how good we are in that we are 6pts clear at the top which as ever is vital as if I have a big enough lead I am able to rest my players for the Champions League ties.

One bit of good news though was that Andoni Iribar finally stopped sulking with me and he agreed to sign a new contract - then he stopped scoring lol.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
AYMERIC LAPORTE
View attachment 58622
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LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58621
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[Klippybo]

Could we see a screenshoot of his stats please? Thanks.

You always get that good regen. Your AMC could be the next Aitor.

View attachment 58620View attachment 58619

Here is Domingo. I had him on loan donkeys ago to make him Basque.

Prieto is decent but couldn't lace Aitor's boots. Havent got anyone near as good as him yet but Martinez is close I suppose but is in a different position. It really has to be a 15/16 year old who goes straight into the 1st team which Martinez did but at CM he doesn't get the goals and assists as someone further forward does.

 

[PelatihDadakan]

No, not Prieto. What I mean is Martinez. Didn't he a MC/AMC?

Sent from my C2005 using Tapatalk

 

[Klippybo]

MARCH

​​v

​​Malaga 0
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Munoz 8, Muniain 34, Cordoba 72pen)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Munoz*, Iribarren, Muniain (Cordoba), Goni (Jimenez)

Is Munoz the difference? It seems recently that when he plays the whole team lifts their performance and that was certainly the case here. Merino got injured and is out for a few weeks.

--

v

​​Cadiz 1 (Cristian 62)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Goni 13, Munoz 21, 79)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza (David Garcia), Darko Garcia, Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz, J.Prieto (Jimenez), Cordoba*, Goni

I rested my first team here and my youngsters did a fine job. Munoz's 2 goals puts him1 behind Iribar as our top scorer while Cordoba got 3 assists to continue his great form.

--

UEFA Champions League 1st Round 2nd Leg

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iribar 64pen, 69)
Marseille 0
(Agg: 3-1)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni (M.Alvarez de Lara), Martinez, Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain (Cordoba), Iribar (Goni)

A decent win although a below par performance. Martinez got injured and is out for a few weeks so my 1st choice midfield is now unavailable for a wee while.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 1 (Iribarren 52)
Real Madrid 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

A fantastic result but what a poor match - it was so boring and the only highlight was our goal really. I would have rather have won our cup match against them though.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 2 (Williams 17, Iribarren 65)
Villarreal 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia (Elustondo), Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Williams, Iribarren*, Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

Villarreal sacked their manager - Giovanni Van Bronckhorst - immediately after this match.

--

SUMMARY

March saw us kick on again as we played some decent stuff and managed to defeat Real Madrid in the league and Marseille in the Champions League. We are 10pts clear at the top of the table so another title should be coming our way but in the Champions League we have been drawn against Bayern Munich and that will be the test........

HAS HE ARRIVED????

Introducing Alberto Gabilondo........
View attachment 58612

15y/o, valued at £8m and he looks an absolute beast of a player. He is a LW but can play LB and he goes straight into my first team squad. He has all the attributes that a top winger needs and the fact he is decent at dead ball situations makes him even more important. Just think, he has about 10 years of developing to do!!!!

If only he was an AMC.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
JON ANDER IRIBARREN
View attachment 58611

--

LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58610

--

SPAIN

UEFA European Championship Qualifiers Group F
​​

v

​​Spain 5 (Iribarren 2, Williams 5, 59, 77, Iribar 15)
Estonia 0

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Nunez, Inigo Martinez, Grimaldo, Rodri, Roberto, Williams*, Iribarren, Asensio (Mayoral), Iribar

A good start to our campaign. The debutatnt here was Borja Mayoral but it was Inaki Williams who stole the show.

--

UEFA European Championship Qualifiers Group F

v

​​Iceland 1 (Finnbogason 30)
Spain 3 (Koke 10, Morata 28, 59)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Vallejo, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Moreno, Koke, Roberto, Isco, Williams (Iribar), Asensio (Cordoba), Morata*
​

 

[Klippybo]

No, not Prieto. What I mean is Martinez. Didn't he a MC/AMC?

Sent from my C2005 using Tapatalk

Ah I get you. Yeah Martinez is quality but I now have a winger who could be a cut above him!!!

 

[Klippybo]

APRIL

​​v

​​Sevilla 0
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 41, 55, 62)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Zerhouni, Williams, Iribarren (Gabilondo), Muniain*, Iribar (Goni)

Muniain must have heard about the potential of Gabilondo as he scored a magnificent hat-trick to secure our Champions League place. To be fair he has had his best season this year arguably.

Next seasons transfer budget - an initial £330m lol.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 28, Goni 74)
Eibar 0

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino (Zerhouni), Martinez, Williams*, Iribarren (Gabilondo), Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

--

v

​​Sporting Gijon 0
Athletic Bilbao 4 (M.Alvarez de Lara 25, Jimenez 48, 54, I.Prieto 89)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Darko Garcia (Cordoba), Zerhouni (I.Prieto), M.Alvarez de Lara, Munoz (Jimenez), J.Prieto, Gabilondo*, Goni

Out came my backups and they destroyed Gijon. Jimenez came off the bench to score 2 and Gabilondo got 2 assists and a man of the match award from his first ever start.

--

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg
v

​​Bayern Munich 4 (Werner 58, 82, Pulisic 80, Lozano 90)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iribarren 5, Muniain 14, Laporte 85, Merino 90)

Lineup - Arrizabalaga, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez (Nunez), Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez, Williams, Iribarren, Muniain (Gabilondo), Iribar (Goni)

WHAT A GAME!!!!

We strolled into a 2 goal lead and at half-time there was no indication at what was to come. At 2-1 up with 10min to go we were looking good but they went 3-2 up and I was annoyed but content and then I was ecstatic when we levelled at 3-3. They went 4-3 up in the last minute and I was gutted but in stoppage time we levelled with an amazing strike from Merino as he volleyed in 1st time from 25 yards.

In the end Bayern had 29 shots to our 15 so I am happy with a score draw and 4 away goals.

--

v

​​Girona 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Rodrigues og82)

Lineup - A.Iribarren , Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo, Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara, A.Alvarez de Lara (Castillo), J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba, Goni (Jimenez)

We retain the title here with 4 games to spare but I am sad. Why? Before the match my keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, damaged his cruciate ligaments and is out for 5-7 months so I am obviously distraught about that.

Time for 17y/o Ander Iribarren to step up!

--

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 40)
Bayern Munich 1 (Hummels 76)
(Agg: 5-5 - Athletic Bilbao win on away goals)

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez (Zerhouni), Williams, J.Iribarren (Gabilondo), Muniain, Iribar (Goni)

This match was much more calmer than the 1st leg and we just did enough here to get through. Muniain's goal makes him our top scorer this season.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 1 (Goni 61)
Levante 0

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo*, Zerhouni (I.Prieto), M.Alvarez de Lara, A.Alvarez de Lara (Castillo), J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba, Goni

Levante look to have secured themselves Champions League football so this was a good win from my backups. Gabilondo isn't even competent at left back yet but he apparently put in a MoM performance here.

--

SUMMARY

This month saw us secure our 4th successive title and qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League but the over-riding feeling is one of loss due to Arrizabalaga's long term injury.

Ander Iribarren will come in and take his place and the 17y/o has bags of potential and has kept 2 clean sheets in the league and only let in 1 against Bayern so he has started well.

In the semis of the Champions League we will face Monaco.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
IKER MUNIAIN
View attachment 58587
​​
--

LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58586
​​
​

 

[Urtzi]

Gabilondo looks like a future Ballon d'Or winner!! Just needs a bit of tutoring and he'll be unbelievable! Those set piece attributes will get him so many goals and assists as well, very jealous.

 

[brooksey84]

Your regen is incredible for a 15 y/o :O

 

[Klippybo]

MAY

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 22, J.Iribarren 51, Inigo Martinez 59)
AS Monaco 0

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Perdomo, Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez (M.Alvarez de Lara), Williams, J.Iribarren, Muniain (Gabilondo), Iribar (Goni)

Fantastic. We have one foot in the final after this result and I may even get to play my youngsters in the 2nd leg now too. Laporte even had a goal disallowed!

--

v

​​Real Betis 1 (Bockaj 51)
Athletic Bilbao 0

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo, M.Alvarez de Lara, I.Prieto, Munoz (Castillo), J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba, Goni (Jimenez)

Meh. Tbh my young keeper looked dodgy at the goal here but overall it was a poor performance from my backups. They are usually superb so I cant complain.

--

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg
v

​​AS Monaco 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 (M.Alvarez de Lara 25)
(Agg: 0-4)

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo, Zerhouni (I.Prieto), M.Alvarez de Lara, Munoz, J.Prieto (Calvo), Cordoba*, Goni (Jimenez)

My backups couldn't beat Betis away but a few days later beat AS Monaco away in the Champions League semis - go figure.

--

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 3 (Cordoba 35, 68, Jimenez 78)
Rayo Vallecano 1 (Boakye 75)

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo, Zerhouni, M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz (Castillo), J.Prieto, Cordoba*, Goni (Jimenez)

--

v

​​Real Sociedad 1 (Benedetto 82)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Goni 12, J.Prieto 23)

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Elustondo, Nunez, Galarza, Gabilondo, Zerhouni (Catala), M.Alvarez de Lara (I.Prieto), Munoz, J.Prieto, Cordoba (Garmendia), Goni*

Fantastic. My backups beat Sociedad to finish off the season with a derby victory. Munoz scored a last minute goal that was disallowed.

--

UEFA Champions League Final
​​

v
​​Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iribar 5, Martinez 65, 82, J.Iribarren 75)
Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Mbappe 47pen, Oberlin 85, 88)

Lineup - A.Iribarren, Perdomo (Elustondo), Laporte, Inigo Martinez, Darko Garcia, Merino, Martinez*, Williams (Goni), J.Iribarren, Muniain (Gabilondo), Iribar

3 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINS IN A ROW!!!!!

What a final. We took an early lead when Iribar pounced and so it stayed until half-time but straight away they levelled through a Mbappe penalty. Then Martinez stepped up and put us ahead, Iribarren added a 3rd and Martinez doubled his tally for the night and the season to make it 4-1 and game over.

But not so!!! PSG scored twice in the last 5min to make it a nervy ending but we held on.

--

SUMMARY

The final month of the season was all about the Champions League as with the league title already won I could play my backups to give them experience in the final few games.

We comfortably disposed of AS Monaco in the semis and even got the chance to play my backups in the 2nd leg and then we faced the big French side PSG in the final.

PSG have Mbappe, Isco, Neymar, Pogba and Dybala in their ranks but we surged into a 4-1 lead before they made it a nervy finish but we held on to claim the trophy.

What a way to finish the season.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
INIGO CORDOBA
View attachment 58558
​​
​

 

[Klippybo]

END OF SEASON POST

Season 6 is over and it was a weird kinda season. We were never really blowing teams away but still racked up 97pts. We won all of the trophies available apart from the Copa del Rey and we suffered the loss of Arrizabalaga to a long term injury but gained a terrific franchise player in Gabilondo. Overall it was a great season though.

It was also strange with my players. I had a few unhappy ones but most have come round to my way of thinking while Muniain somehow scored over 20 goals to be my top scorer and my backup RW got 14!!!

--

LEAGUE TABLE
View attachment 58552

--

FIRST TEAM SQUAD
View attachment 58551View attachment 58550

Everyone performed well. Iribarren was the star performer but a special mention has to go to Mikel Munoz who scored 14 goals from RW in so few appearances. However shame on Merino, Martinez and especially Inaki Williams as they only scored 9 goals in total. That being said if Martinez keeps scoring doubles in Champions League finals I will let him off lol.

--

OTHER INFO
View attachment 58549View attachment 58548View attachment 58547

--

B TEAM & U19S

The B team once again were superb as they finished runners-up in the 2nd tier to Espanyol. Aitor Sanz, Enrique Castillo and David Garcia were the standout performers while my on loan striker Echeverria scored 25 goals for Numancia in the same division.

The U19s won both of their domestic trophies but were eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the continental tournament.

--

HOPES FOR PRE-SEASON

There will be a few changes. My biggest dilemma is what to do with Gabilondo. I would love to play him LW but Muniain has just had his best season and was my top scorer while Cordoba is valued at over £60m and is an international so what to do?

Darko Garcia, Jesus Goni and Ander Iribarren need new contracts so that is on the agenda too.

--

SPAIN

UEFA Nations League Semi-Final

v

Italy 1 (Crutone 90)
Spain 2 (Iribarren 14, Rugani og88)

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Vallejo, Inigo Martinez, Grimaldo (Moreno), Merino, Roberto, Williams, Iribarren, Asensio (Suso), Morata (Mayoral)

--

UEFA Nations League Final

v

England 1 (Rashford 59)
Spain 2 (Vallejo 30, Iribarren 120)
AET

Lineup - De Gea, Bellerin, Vallejo*, Inigo Martinez, Moreno (Garcia), Merino, Roberto, Isco, Iribarren, Asensio (Williams), Morata (Iribar)

We win the Nations League again. We got lucky as they had a goal disallowed just before Iribarren scored the last minute winner. My very own Darko Garcia made his international debut.

--

Friendly

v

Spain 3 (Cordoba 23, Morata 24, Mayoral 57)
Finland 0

Lineup - De Gea, Perdomo, Nunez, Rodri, Garcia, Martinez, Soler (Mayoral*), Williams, Suso, Cordoba, Morata (Iribar)
​

 

[PelatihDadakan]

With Gabilondo on the left, Munoz on the right, Martinez in the centre, and Iribarren up top, this young lions are ready to play sexy football.

Sent from my C2005 using Tapatalk

 

[Klippybo]

PRE-SEASON

Some big decisions were made during the summer. 2 stalwarts left the club, as did my director of football but on the other hand I signed a new contract at the club with a big wage rise. My new director of football came in from Sevilla for just under £4m and £30k a week but with a transfer budget of over £400m I couldn't grumble about paying that.

--

PLAYERS OUT

My first sale broke the club record (doesn't have Laporte's sale in real life obviously) as I sold Inigo Martinez to Man City for an initial £15.5m. At the age of 32 and with his contract running out in a year I thought we should cash in especially with the amount of decent CBs we have waiting for a chance. He made 289 apps for me and scored 11 goals.

That sale however was eclipsed by the departure of Inigo Cordoba. I didn't want to sell him. At the age of 26 he still had more to give but I couldn't sell Muniain and with the emergence of Gabilondo something had to give. I sold him to Monaco for an initial £41.5m. Cordoba played 226 times and scored 61 goals. I would happily take him back when Muniain gets past it.

I also made £8.1m by selling Zubeldia, Iriondo and Naveira and at the time of writing there should be a few loan moves happening by the end of the window.

TOTAL INCOME - £66m

--

PLAYERS IN

Nobody for my 1st team. Mikel Perez - who just had a 2 year loan with us rejoined us again to help the B team - came in on loan as did Jon Alonso who came in from Chelsea on a 2 year loan too and he will play for the B team also.
View attachment 58429

Other than that I signed a CB from Sevilla for £2.4m who looks like a prospect while my new DoF signed a forward from Eibar for an initial £400,000
View attachment 58427View attachment 58426

TOTAL SPENT - £2.8m

--

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

Gabilondo is my LW. Muniain, harsh as it is, is my new backup LW as I cant not give Gabilondo a run in the side in his favourite position. Nunez will replace Inigo Martinez in defence while from the B team David Garcia and Enrique Castillo have been promoted to add depth.

With Arrizabalaga's injury the ages of my first team is - 18, 19, 26, 29, 20, 27, 18, 29, 22, 16, 21 which is quite young but here is my backup team that plays a lot - 18, 18, 20, 21, 16, 21, 19, 20, 21, 30, 21 and that doesn't include I.Prieto who is 17, Jimenez who is 21 and Castillo who is 20 plus the prospects in my B team and U19 team!!!!

Jimenez actually wants to move to a bigger club and Elustondo is worried about the squads strength - what they fail to realise is that they are part of an insane squad who in 5 years time could be the football equivalent of the harlem globetrotters!

​