Aitor Herrera - On The Hunt For The New Regen King!!!!

[Klippybo]

PRE-SEASON

You already know the main piece of news regarding my summer and that took over most of my time what with employing staff etc. Anywho I expected minor changes but I did slightly more than I thought I would.

Time to reveal all.............

--

PLAYERS IN

My main signing was Mexican international Jorge Espericueta whom I brought in from Borussia Dortmund for 14.75m. He will slot beside Herrera in CM and will hopefully be a star in the years to come. I had planned giving Urdaniz a season as a starting CM but when my DoF lined up this deal I went through with it.
View attachment 381417

My next signing was a prospect from Deportivo La Coruna for 3.4m. Hopefully he will develop into a fine player although my CM positions are looking quite strong both in the present and for the future.
View attachment 381415

These two were brought in for a pittance. I have followed Berto for a while now and to get him for 400k and to see his value soar up to 3.9m is pleasing although as you will see shortly I undersold some players during the summer......
View attachment 381414View attachment 381413

--

PLAYERS OUT

The main departure was that of Fernando Llorente who for some reason didnt want to extend his stay. He scored an amazing 126 goals in 144 games and was well worth the money I spent on him. He has won the European Golden Boot the last 2 years so to lose him is a bit of a blow despite being 35y/o.

I sold my backup keeper Aizpurua for 2.7m to Malaga and his value immediately shot up to 6m!!!! From my B team I sold Saborit for 950k, Kike Barja for 1.8m (now worth 3.2m), Adrian for 2m and Antonio Martinez for 2.7m (now worth 6.25m).

Joseba, Artola and Garcia were released while I loaned out Patxi Nieto to Real Valladolid to make way for Espericueta and for him to get a season of regular first team football - providing he stays fit that is!!!

--

SUMMARY

The main question is who is replacing Llorente. Methinks I will start with Iker up top but if he goes a few games without a goal Garrido will step in. Considering Lasa who is 3rd choice is a wonderkid and Sanz in the B team is valued at 4.4m I dont think I will struggle for choices!!!

J.Aranburu has been promoted from the B side to be my backup keeper while Txus Martin has been promoted to the first team squad. The only other change is the afore mentioned Espericueta.

Arroyo

Rubio - Laporte - Inigo Martinez - Azpilicueta

Espericueta - Herrera

Muniain (LW) - Guillermo - Griezmann (RW)

Iker



​

 

[bcfc1]

love the story, ive read plenty of your stories before including older bilbao stories and im enjoying this one just as much. Im currently doing a bilbao save as well and i was wondering when it comes to your youngsters if you have any that are too good for the u19 but not currently good enough for your first team do you leave them to dominate the u19 league or move them up to the b team for a bigger challenge.

 

[Klippybo]

AUGUST

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Guillermo 21, Griezmann 62, Iker 76pen)
Atletico Madrid 1 (Ayew 7)

A fine way to start the league campaign.

--

Spanish Super Cup Final 1st Leg
Atletico Madrid 2 (Candido 63, 74)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Griezmann 2, Iker 56, Guillermo 90)

Another hard fought win against Atletico - Guillermo's late winner delighted me and capped off a fine performance.

--

Sevilla 2 (Rubio 44, Dzeko 69)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iker 62, Alfonso 90)

Disappointing to drop points so early on in the season but given the nature of the opposition I will accept it.

--

Spanish Super Cup Final 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Lasa 10, Martin 45)
Atletico Madrid 3 (Hofmann 51, Kampl 59, Mina 82)
(AET Agg 5-5 Athletic Bilbao win 4-3 on penalties)

My youngsters got there in the end!!! Quite chuffed actually. Lasa had a goal disallowed.

--

UEFA European Super Cup
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Guillermo 53, Alastuey 63, 75, Garrido 78)
Juventus 2 (Pogba 37, Arroyo og45)

What a comeback!!! To be fair it was never on the cards until they got a man sent-off early in the 2nd half.

--

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Guillermo 32, Griezmann 43, 68)
Villarreal 1 (Altidore 38)

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alastuey, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]3-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sev[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Garrido*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Martin, Gonzalez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]2-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Ruben[/TD]
[TD]Jurado[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Mohamed, U.Aranburu, Goiria[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Juv[/TD]
[TD]4-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey* 2[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alfonso, M.Olaizola[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vill[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann* 2[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez, Martin, Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

A good opening month to the season. We picked up both Super Cups and did decently enough in the league. Iker has started life as my new first choice striker pretty good while Guillermo has been a star - and is eagerly awaiting his first senior cap for Spain.

In the Champions League we will face BATE Borisov, FC Porto and AS Monaco.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
GUILLERMO
View attachment 381075

​

 

[Klippybo]

love the story, ive read plenty of your stories before including older bilbao stories and im enjoying this one just as much. Im currently doing a bilbao save as well and i was wondering when it comes to your youngsters if you have any that are too good for the u19 but not currently good enough for your first team do you leave them to dominate the u19 league or move them up to the b team for a bigger challenge.

That depends - if I know 100% they are going to develop into a player for the first team I shove them straight in from U19s. I just put players I am unsure about or have already got plenty in the first team in the B side.

With Bilbao you always have to plan 3 years minimum in advance!!!

 

[bcfc1]

thanks for the response. I have a 17yr old cb who is already a 2.5 star player and he has the current stats to back it up as well. I dont want to really put him into the first team squad until he has a bit more experience however as he has only played around 10 u19 games in his entire career. would it be better for him to play in the u19 or go into my b team now who are in the liga adelante.

 

[Klippybo]

SEPTEMBER

Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 86)
Elche 0

A disappointing result to tell the truth - I expected to score 4 goals at least!!!

--

UEFA Champions League Group B
FC Porto 2 (Campbell 30, Danilo Luiz 75)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Tkach og11, Alfonso 46)

Not a great performance as Porto outplayed us - that said, we had a goal disallowed in the 1st half.

--

Espanyol 2 (Okoro 27, Zaldivar og77)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Espericueta 19, Laporte 21, Alfonso 35, Muniain 70)

After a few quiet performances this was a step back in the right direction.

--

Alaves 3 (Herrera 7, Nieto 25, Rey 63)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iker 29, 58pen, 65pen, Guillermo 75)

I had actually planned to drop Iker here so just aswell I forgot!!!

--

Athletic Bilbao 6 (Martin 23, Garrido 27, 75, Inigo Martinez 40, Iker 64, Alastuey 90)
Sporting Gijon 2 (Laporte og69, Perez 79)

A fine victory here. Alastuey, Garrido and Martin have been excellent when called upon so far this season. Alastuey is developing into a beast - his marking attribute is up from an original 4 to 14 and he is still only 18y/o!!!!

--

UEFA Champions League Group B
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Martin 7, Lasa 72, Garrido 87)
AS Monaco 0

Another fine victory and once again 3 backups did the hard work by getting the all important goals.

--

LINEUPS[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Elche[/TD]
[TD]1-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Bragana, Urdaniz[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Porto[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Mohamed, Gonzalez, Bragano[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Esp[/TD]
[TD]4-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta*[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Lucas, Zaldivar[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alaves[/TD]
[TD]4-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 3[/TD]
[TD]Lucas, Urdaniz, Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gijon[/TD]
[TD]6-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido* 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Goiria[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mon[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lasa, Urdaniz[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


--

SUMMARY

This month started slowly (including Spain games) but picked up towards the end as we began to bang in plenty of goals again. Backups like Alfonso, Alastuey, Garrido and Martin got regular games this month and impressed me greatly.

The match against Sporting Gijon was the first at the San Mames since it got extended to a capacity of 69,100 and we broke a new record for gate receipts as we raked in 3.3m against Monaco.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
TXUS MARTIN
View attachment 380404

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 380419

--

SPAIN

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Montenegro 1 (Djordjevic 60)
Spain 1 (Muniain 14)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta, Bartra, Inigo Martinez, Bernat (Grimaldo), Koke, Darder, Jese, Muniain*, Guillermo (Suso), Alcacer (Iker)

What a horrible first game in charge of Spain - not a good start at all. Guillermo, Iker and Grimaldo made their international debuts.

--

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Spain 3 (Guillermo 26, 90, Jese 30)
Greece 1 (Stafylidis 7)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta (Montoya), Bartra, Inigo Martinez, Bernat, Koke (Javi Martinez), Darder, Jese, Muniain, Guillermo*, Simeone (Iker)



​

 

[Klippybo]

thanks for the response. I have a 17yr old cb who is already a 2.5 star player and he has the current stats to back it up as well. I dont want to really put him into the first team squad until he has a bit more experience however as he has only played around 10 u19 games in his entire career. would it be better for him to play in the u19 or go into my b team now who are in the liga adelante.

reply with a screenie and tell me who your other CBs are and I will tell you what i would do with him

 

[Klippybo]

OCTOBER

Real Sociedad 1 (Nam Tae-Hee 68)
Athletic Bilbao 6 (Martin 5, Lucas 35, Muniain 37, 82, Guillermo 69, Lasa 70)

WOW!!!! And this was with a weaker side out!!

--

Athletic Bilbao 5 (Iker 24, Laporte 51, Zapata og67, Griezmann 81, 83)
Malaga 0

In our last 5 games in the league we have scored 25 goals!!!!

--

UEFA Champions League Group B
BATE Borisov 1 (Kovalevskiy 68)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Bragana 55, Garrido 56pen)

Out came the backups and in came the 3pts.

--

Osasuna 0
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Iker 9, Alfonso 20, Griezmann 45)

--

Granada 1 (Iancu 8pen)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iker 48, 54pen, 71pen, Laporte 59)

The first half was a bit of a shock I admit but after giving my players a rollocking at half-time they responded and battered Granada.

--

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Bragana 13, Iker 22, 65)
Celta Vigo 1 (Iborra 57)

I rested everyone apart from my gk and Iker here.

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]R Soc[/TD]
[TD]6-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Muniain* 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mal[/TD]
[TD]5-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann* 2[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alfonso[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BATE[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey*[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Galan, Sanz, M.Olaizola[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Osas[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lucas, Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gran[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 3[/TD]
[TD]Martin, Alastuey[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Celta Vigo[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 2[/TD]
[TD]Galan, M.Olaizola, Tarantino[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

This was a very good month as we won every game, scored a load of goals and was able to field my backups occasionally.

We are breaking away in the league already and that is to be expected as as my youngsters develop and get better it is only natural that the sides level of performance improves and we will drop less points as a result.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
IKER
View attachment 380293

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 380292

--

SPAIN

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Serbia 0
Spain 4 (Alcacer 4pen, Jese 9, 62, Nastasic og34)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta, Inigo Martinez, Bartra, Bernat, Darder, Koke (Thiago), Jese*, Muniain (Isco), Guillermo, Alcacer (Simeone)

We struggle against Montenegro and then thrash Serbia away - go figure...

--

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Spain 1 (Guillermo 54)
Bulgaria 1 (Apostolov 22)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta, Inigo Martinez, Bartra, Bernat, Darder, Thiago (Javi Martinez), Jese (Isco), Muniain, Guillermo, Alcacer (Iker)

FOR **** SAKE!!!!​

 

[Klippybo]

NOVEMBER

UEFA Champions League Group B
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Garrido 18pen, 38, Martin 78)
BATE Borisov 0

--

Real Betis 3 (Dongou 2, Haheimsnes 31, Gunnarsson 60)
Athletic Bilbao 5 (Iker 11pen, 41, Griezmann 12, Guillermo 19, Muniain 90)

I was scared to make a sub here as this game was so even and it wasnt until the very end where we were finally comfortable.

--

Athletic Bilbao 6 (Griezmann 1, 42, 80, Muniain 29, Iker 79, Mascherano og88)
Barcelona 3 (Neymar 26, 87, Messi 74)

What a game this was - INCREDIBLE!!!!

--

UEFA Champions League Group B
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Garrido 5, Griezmann 67)
FC Porto 1 (Douglas Costa 57)

We should have won by a lot more here but we got the win to secure qualification into the next round.

--

Real Valladolid 1 (Seferovic 4)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iker 8, Inigo Martinez 16, Griezmann 25, Lasa 87)

--

LINEUPS[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BATE[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Jurado[/TD]
[TD]Garrido* 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Sanz, Tarantino, Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real Betis[/TD]
[TD]5-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Barc[/TD]
[TD]6-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann* 3[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Porto[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lasa, Urdaniz, Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]R Val[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera*[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Lasa, Bragana[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

Another perfect month with the highlight being the 6-3 victory over Barcelona which opens up a massive 17pt gap between the 2 sides while we are 6pts clear of Real Madrid.

Not much other news but I gave some of my players their international debuts as I played Arroyo, Alastuey and Rubio.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
View attachment 380235

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 380231

--

SPAIN

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Spain 6 (Azpilicueta 21, Guillermo 34, 78, 83, Iker 57, 90)
Montenegro 3 (Grbic 6, Djordjevic 22, Nikolic 62)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta, Nestor, Barta (Alastuey), Grimaldo, Darder (Thiago), Koke, Jese, Muniain (Isco), Guillermo*, Iker

We really struggled here until I made my 3 subs. Alastuey and Nestor made their debuts here.

--

Friendly
Spain 3 (Iker 39, Nestor 72, Oliver 82)
Romania 2 (Nosal 13, 87)

Lineup - Arroyo (Ortola), Azpilicueta (Montoya), Nestor, Alastuey, Rubio, Darder (Thiago), Koke (Javi Martinez), Jese (Isco), Muniain, Guillermo (Oliver), Iker

Arroyo, Ortola and Rubio were the debutants here.​

 

[naterr]

Yay Alastuey gets his debut for Spain!

 

[Klippybo]

DECEMBER

UEFA Champions League Group B
AS Monaco 1 (Falcao 2)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Lasa 4, Alfonso 59)

A great win this as my young backups beat a much stronger Monaco side.

--

Copa del Rey 4th Round 1st Leg
Don Benito 0
Athletic Bilbao 6 (Lasa 13, 85, Griezmann 22, Alastuey 28, Garrido 34, Martin 43)

I am quite disappointed that we only scored once in the 2nd half but hey ho.

--

Valencia 2 (Onazi 14pen, Canales 60)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Laporte 31)

Our first defeat in the league this season and it was totally undeserved.

--

FIFA World Club Cup SF
America (MEX) 0
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Martin 40, 43)

--

FIFA World Club Cup Final
Botafogo 2 (Giva 37, Ferreira 42)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Ramalho og29, Griezmann 36, Iker 66pen, 76)

An entertaining final and a tough one too. Botafogo had a goal disallowed that would have put them 3-2 ahead and we took advantage of our good fortune.

--

Copa del Rey 4th Round 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 5 (Lasa 26, Urdaniz 29, Alfonso 35, Garrido 68, Martin 89)
Don Benito 1 (Garcia 72)
(Athletic Bilbao win 11-1 on aggregate)

I had a touchline ban for this game. Bad news came when Urdaniz went off injured and is out for 3 months while Gonzalez is out for 2 months.

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mon[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso*[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Tarantino, Galan, Sanz[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Don[/TD]
[TD]6-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa* 2[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Val[/TD]
[TD]1-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez, Garrido, Lasa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ame[/TD]
[TD]2-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin* 2[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Bot[/TD]
[TD]4-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin, Garrido, Bragana[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Don[/TD]
[TD]5-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido*[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]U.Aranburu, Galan, Alex[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

This month saw us win the FIFA World Club Cup but also saw us lose our first game of the season in the league which was extremely disappointing. My young backups played most of the games during the month and as usual they all impressed with the standouts this month being Urdaniz, Lasa and Martin.

In the Champions League we will face Shakhtar Donetsk which is a decent enough draw for us.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
TXUS MARTIN
View attachment 380183

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 380182​

 

[Klippybo]

To show the benefits of tutoring and giving youngsters game time take a look at Alastuey when he arrived..........

This screenie is on page 15

To now...........
View attachment 380166

And to think he has still got a couple of years of serious development in him!!!

 

[bcfc1]

these are my centre backs at the moment however aranburu is mostly being played at left back and is being trained there as well so that is likely to be his future position. my original idea would be to sell aurtenetxe and then bring through both pepe and fortun but then i would have too much youth at the back with laporte being the oldest at 24 and the next oldest being 20 yrs old.
View attachment 380152View attachment 380151View attachment 380149View attachment 380148View attachment 380145View attachment 380143

 

[Klippybo]

these are my centre backs at the moment however aranburu is mostly being played at left back and is being trained there as well so that is likely to be his future position. my original idea would be to sell aurtenetxe and then bring through both pepe and fortun but then i would have too much youth at the back with laporte being the oldest at 24 and the next oldest being 20 yrs old.
View attachment 589303View attachment 589304View attachment 589307View attachment 589309View attachment 589317View attachment 589320

With those players Aurtenetxe wouldnt get near my team!!!! Some great prospects there. Dont worry too much about having too young a team. I especially like the 17y/o and the boy Sarro who would be a great ball playing CB

 

[Klippybo]

JANUARY

Athletic Bilbao 9 (Muniain 11, 18, 52, Iker 13, 32, Laporte 15, Inigo Martinez 26, Griezmann 39, Espericueta 84)
Getafe 1 (Vazquez 64)

An astonishing victory this. We were 7up at half time incredibly.

--

Copa del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg
Getafe 2 (Gomez 4, Suarez 63)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Griezmann 31)

HOW THE **** CAN YOU BEAT A TEAM 9-1 AND THEN LOSE TO THEM DAYS LATER???

--

Las Palmas 1 (Cesar 4)
Athletic Bilbao 7 (Griezmann 47, 85, Guillermo 51, 87, Muniain 54, 75, Iker 62)

LOL - from being 1 down at half time to win 7-1 is some turnaround!

--

Copa del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 76)
Getafe 0
(Agg 2-2, Athletic Bilbao win on away goals)

Believe it or not we actually played better and created more chances than when we beat them 9-1!!!

--

Atletico Madrid 2 (Guilavogui 4, Park Hyeon-Jin 24)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Park Hyeon-Jin og11, Muniain 45)

Before the game my goalie Arroyo got injured and is out for 3 months so Jon Aranburu came in. We were poor here and Atletico had a winning goal disallowed.

--

Copa del Rey QF 1st Leg
Athletic Bilbao 6 (Alfonso 11, Alastuey 16, Martin 18, Garrido 41, Iker 63, 73)
Barcelona 1 (Neymar 74)

UNBELIEVABLE JEFF!!!

We were without 7 first choice players but as has happened all season - when Alastuey, Martin, Alfonso, Garrido etc come in we dont seem to miss the players who are out.

--

Villarreal 2 (Guillermo 7, Altidore 57)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Carbonell og41, Garrido 80pen)

We have now dropped points in each of our last 2 games - not used to that!

--

Copa del Rey QF 2nd Leg
Barcelona 1 (Brandan 74)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Garrido 36pen, 45pen, Alfonso 72)
(Athletic Bilbao win 9-2 on aggregate)

Another fantastic result this as my entire team were made out of my young backups and prospects.

--

Athletic Bilbao 4 (Muniain 1, Laporte 45, Inigo Martinez 80, Griezmann 86)
Sevilla 0

4 goals seems to be the minimum in the majority of games for us this season lol.

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Get[/TD]
[TD]9-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain* 3[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker 2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Get[/TD]
[TD]1-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alfonso, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Las P[/TD]
[TD]7-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann 2[/TD]
[TD]Muniain 2[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo* 2[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Bragana, Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Get[/TD]
[TD]1-0[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alfonso, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain*[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar, Garrido, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Barc[/TD]
[TD]6-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso*[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker 2[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Vill[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso, Martin, Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Barc[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]U.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Alex[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido* 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Ruben, M.Olaizola, J.Olaizola[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sev[/TD]
[TD]4-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann*[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

What a month this was!! We had some outstanding results with thrashings of Getafe, Barcelona (twice), Sevilla and Las Palmas and somehow had a horror show against Getafe in the cup days after beating them 9-1!

The way my youngsters are developing and performing I am really excited about the upcoming seasons. God knows how good we will be when they are fully developed!

Antoine Griezmann won the World Player of the Year award while Guillermo won the European Golden Boy award for the 4th year in a row.

Finally despite my attempts to bring him back Fernando Llorente has signed for Levante.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
IKER MUNIAIN
View attachment 380035

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 380034​

 

[naterr]

To show the benefits of tutoring and giving youngsters game time take a look at Alastuey when he arrived..........

This screenie is on page 15

To now...........
View attachment 589262

And to think he has still got a couple of years of serious development in him!!!

His marking has shot up! I have never had luck with tutoring but seems to have done well for you!

 

[Klippybo]

FEBRUARY

Copa del Rey SF 1st Leg
Atletico Madrid 4 (Hofmann 23pen, Candido 44, 86, Douglas Costa 87)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Iker 16, 75, Muniain 36, Guillermo 81)

Normally I would be happy with this result but not when we were 2up with 5min to go.

--

Athletic Bilbao 2 (Laporte 3, Iker 62)
Espanyol 0

--

Elche 2 (Dalmau 76, Moses 90)
Athletic Bilbao 5 (Griezmann 17, Muniain 26, Guillermo 32, 39, Iker 81)

Despite scoring 5 goals their goalkeeper got the MoM award. Elche have Victor Moses, Henri Saivet, Magaye Gueye and Gaston Ramirez on their books.

--

UEFA Champions League 1st Round 1st Leg
Shakhtar Donetsk 2 (Ibarbo 2, Alexandrov 13)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Griezmann 8, Guillermo 46)

A decent enough result.

--

Sporting Gijon 2 (Gimenez 9, Pena 45)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 47, Tarantino 70)

A poor result for sure but we were 2 down and a man down at half time so to get a point is ok I suppose.

--

Copa del Rey SF 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 0
Atletico Madrid 0
(Agg 4-4, Athletic Bilbao win on away goals)

A tight semi with them having a goal disallowed early on but once again luck was on our side. An extremely rare nil nil draw.

--

Athletic Bilbao 4 (Martin 1, Iker 5, Bragana 22, Griezmann 30)
Real Sociedad 1 (Rubio og63)

A very pleasing derby victory.

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]4-4[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker 2[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso, Zaldivar, Alastuey[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Esp[/TD]
[TD]2-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Martin, Garrido, Lucas[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Elche[/TD]
[TD]5-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo 2 [/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shak[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann*[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lucas, Gonzalez, Lasa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gijon[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain*[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Tarantino, Garrido, Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atl M[/TD]
[TD]0-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso, Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]R Soc[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann*[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

A tough month but ultimately successful as we remain top of the table, progressed through to the Copa del Rey final where we will play Real Madrid and have a decent chance of progressing in the Champions League.

Not much else is to be said really - youth intake is next month of course!!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
View attachment 379808

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 379805​

 

[Rootsey]

Looking forward to seeing your youth intake next month mate. Fingers crossed for an Aitor!

 

[Klippybo]

MARCH
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Iker 1, 37pen, 90pen)
Alaves 0

--

Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iker 4, Guillermo 16)
Osasuna 1 (Hervias 13)

Not a great performance but we got the win which is the main thing.

--

UEFA Champions League 1st Round 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Martin 13)
Shakhtar Donetsk 0
(Athletic Bilbao win 3-2 on aggregate)

I would have liked/expected a bigger winning margin but hey ho.

--

Malaga 1 (Olinga 38)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Herrera 40, Inigo Martinez 68, Alastuey 77, Garrido 82pen)

Before the game I had a funny feeling we would drop points here but I was very much wrong. Iker got injured and is out for a month.

--

Athletic Bilbao 5 (Griezmann 4, 75, Garrido 7pen, 48pen, Inigo Martinez 60)
Granada 0

An easy win. Garrido looks like he is going to take his chance as the first choice striker while Iker is out!

--

Celta Vigo 0
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Intxaurraga 34, Lasa 58)

I am delighted with this win as I had literally dozens of players unavailable to me due to international call ups, U19 fixtures, B team registrations and general fitness. I had the chance to cancel the game but said no as I have faith in my backups.

--

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Griezmann 25, Garrido 31pen, 38)
Real Madrid 2 (Allione 44, Nathan 45)

This win opens up a 13pt gap at the top of the league = the title is all but ours.

--

LINEUPS[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alaves[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker* 3[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey, Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Osas[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Zaldivar[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shak[/TD]
[TD]1-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Martin*[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso, Lasa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mal[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera*[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Garrido, Alastuey, Alfonso[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Gran[/TD]
[TD]5-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann* 2[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Garrido 2[/TD]
[TD]Lucas, Alfonso, Lasa[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Celta Vigo[/TD]
[TD]2-0[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Lekue[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Intxaurraga[/TD]
[TD]Galan[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Berto[/TD]
[TD]Martin*[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Mohamed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real M[/TD]
[TD]3-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Garrido 2[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

As ever March was a very busy hectic month but we came out of it pretty well. The league is all but won and the highlights were the victories over Real Madrid and Celta Vigo. We will also face up against Real in the Copa del Rey final as well as the Champions League quarter finals.

The youth intake was decent enough the only problem was the best player was a left back - one position I am covered for for the next 10 years with Rubio and Gonzalez!!
View attachment 379759

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
FERMIN GARRIDO
View attachment 379757

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 379765

--

SPAIN

FIFA World Cup Quals Group 5
Spain 3 (Inigo Martinez 5, Alcacer 28pen, Guillermo 86)
Lithuania 1 (Barevicius 54)

Lineup - De Gea, Azpilicueta, Inigo Martinez, Bartra, Bernat (Grimaldo), Darder (Ruiz de Galarreta), Koke, Jese, Muniain, Guillermo*, Alcacer (Simeone)
​

 

[Klippybo]

APRIL

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Urdaniz 45, Martin 70, Zaldivar 88)
Real Betis 2 (Cedrick 62, Dongou 64)

Betis only had 2 shots on goal so we should have won more comfortably.

--

UEFA Champions League QF 1st Leg
Real Madrid 1 (Allione 89)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Muniain 30)

Gutting to concede so late on but it is still a good result.

--

Athletic Bilbao 4 (Ahmedov og57, Lasa 60, Alfonso 61, Garrido 90)
Real Valladolid 2 (Ahmedov 37, Seferovic 62)

I rested my players for the upcoming match against Real Madrid and my youngsters got me the win. Arroyo made his comeback from injury here.

--

UEFA Champions League QF 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Garrido 3, Laporte 24, Guillermo 46)
Real Madrid 1 (Allione 11)
(Athletic Bilbao win 4-2 on aggregate)

Into the semis we go after a fantastic win here. Iker is back fit but Garrido cant stop scoring!

--

Barcelona 3 (Castillo 26, Busquets 35, Neymar 89)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Chiriches og10, Garrido 69)

Disappointing but understandable as Alastuey got sent-off in the first half.

--

UEFA Champions League SF 1st Leg
Bayern Munich 2 (Lewandowski 47, Gladrow 90)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Griezmann 61, Martin 69, Lasa 83)
A magnificent victory. Bayern could have been 5up at half time but we somehow went in level. After we both traded goals I made my subs and Martin and Lasa made a fabulous impact.

--

Real Madrid 3 (Suarez 9, Nathan 13, Lucas Silva 90pen)
Athletic Bilbao 4 (Griezmann 38, Iker 72, Inigo Martinez 88, 90+3)

CHAMPIONS!!!!!

What a way to win the league. Once again it took about an hour for us to get going but get going we did and we somehow won the match in stoppage time.

--

UEFA Champions League SF 2nd Leg
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Alfonso 37, Garrido 59pen)
Bayern Munich 2 (Volland 8, Lewnadowski 45)
(Athletic Bilbao win 5-4 on aggregate)

We deserved to win this but it doesnt matter as we are still in the final.

--

LINEUPS
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]OPP[/TD]
[TD]RES[/TD]
[TD]GK[/TD]
[TD]RB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]CB[/TD]
[TD]LB[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]CM[/TD]
[TD]AMR[/TD]
[TD]AML[/TD]
[TD]AMC[/TD]
[TD]ST[/TD]
[TD]SUBS[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real Betis[/TD]
[TD]3-2[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez*[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Galan, Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real M[/TD]
[TD]1-1[/TD]
[TD]J.Aranburu[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey*[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Martin, Gonzalez, Lucas [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]R Val[/TD]
[TD]4-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Bragana[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido*[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Lasa[/TD]
[TD]Jurado, Tarantino, Galan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real M[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Barc[/TD]
[TD]2-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Martin[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Bragana, Urdaniz, Zaldivar[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Bay[/TD]
[TD]3-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Zaldivar[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann*[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Iker[/TD]
[TD]Lasa, Lucas, Martin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Real M[/TD]
[TD]4-3[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Inigo Martinez* 2[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez, Alfonso, Iker[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Bay[/TD]
[TD]2-2[/TD]
[TD]Arroyo[/TD]
[TD]Azpilicueta[/TD]
[TD]Alastuey[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Rubio[/TD]
[TD]Urdaniz[/TD]
[TD]Lucas[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Alfonso[/TD]
[TD]Garrido[/TD]
[TD]Gonzalez[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

What a month this was. I cant think of too many where we have had tougher fixtures as we faced Real 3 times, Bayern Munich twice and Barcelona once. We wrapped up the title with a fantastic victory over Real Madrid while we also made it through to the Champions League final where we will face Chelsea.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
View attachment 379725

--

LIGA BBVA
View attachment 379724

​