Athletic Bilbao

[Klippybo]

APRIL

v

Real Sociedad 1 (Zurutuza 43)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Griezmann 90pen)
Griezmann's last minute penalty saved us on derby day here. We battered them in the first half but they punished us on the break against the run of play.

--

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg

v

Barcelona 3 (Neymar 21, Pedro 51, 53)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Unai Lopez 34, Guillermo 66)

I would have taken this result beforehand and maybe after the game too since Barcelona battered us but Griezmann missed a penalty late on so there is a thought of what could have been.

--

v

Sevilla 3 (Rico 43, 47, Bacca 90)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (De Marcos 62)

I was missing 7 players here so a positive result was going to be hard to get but to see my ex-player score 2 against us is quite hard to take.

--

UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg

v

Athletic Bilbao 2 (Griezmann 24, Balenziaga 40)
Barcelona 4 (Messi 38, 59, 86, Neymar 60)
(Barcelona win 7-4 on aggregate)

It was looking good at half-time but despite a good team talk, we crumbled in the 2nd half which is a bit annoying. Balenziaga scoring is certainly not a common occurrence!

3 defeats in a row now and without a win in 4...............

--

Copa del Rey Final

v

Athletic Bilbao 2 (Muniain 45+2, 80)
Villarreal 1 (El Arabi 45)

WE WIN THE CUP!!!!

The game wasnt the best and came to life at the end of the first half as we traded goals. The 2nd half was a non event until Muniain struck with 10min to go. They then had a man sent-off and we held on to take the trophy.

--

v

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Muniain 24, Insua og44, Ibai Gomez 70)
Deportivo La Coruna 1 (Baston 12)

--

v

Athletic Bilbao 4 (Muniain 13, Ekiza 15, Iraola 47pen, Fidel og63)
Malaga 1 (Larsson 56)

This win secures Champions League football for us for next season.

--

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]

[/TD]
[TD]1-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo, Espericueta, Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]2-3[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta, Ibai Gomez, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]1-3[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Ramalho[/TD]
[TD]Ekiza[/TD]
[TD]Etxeita[/TD]
[TD]Aurtenetxe[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Pena, Guillermo, Viguera[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]2-4[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez, De Marcos, Ruiz de Galarreta[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain* 2[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos, Espericueta, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez*[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos, Espericueta, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Ekiza[/TD]
[TD]Aurtenetxe[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Pena, Viguera[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

We were awful at the start of this month as we lost 3 and drew one of our first 4 games which included us going out of the Champions League and a player I sold a couple of months ago scoring twice against us.

We did pick up in the end though and secured Champions League qualification but obviously the highlight of the month was picking up our first piece of silverware by beating Villarreal in the Copa del Rey final.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANDONI IRAOLA
View attachment 298300
(Nobody stood out but the old man of the side almost played every game this month, scored a goal and of course lifted the cup)

--

LA LIGA
View attachment 298299
Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 4-2
Almeria thump Espanyol 7-0
Real Madrid thump Levante 7-0

--

B TEAM WATCH

Bilbao Athletic 2-0 Pena Sport
Bilbao Athletic - Real Sociedad B
Tudelano 0-4 Bilbao Athletic
Fuenlabrada 5-1 Bilbao Athletic

​

 

[Klippybo]

I know peeps are reading it but feel free to leave a comment!!!!!




​

 

[Yoblackcat]

Your stories are such a great read, Keep up the great work

 

[npjones]

Love this story. Inspired to start my own Bilbao adventure. Literally NO players worth signing first window. Mexican lad's coming for free though and i like the youth Oteo on the wing

 

[Klippybo]

MAY

v

Granada 1 (Cordoba 61)
Athletic Bilbao 2 (Ibai Gomez 49, Guillermo 71)

The season is petering out here so I am going to play some of my youngsters in the last few games. Arrizabalaga started here while Guillermo came off the bench to score the winner.

--

v

Mallorca 0
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Griezmann 7, Unai Lopez 38, Agus og82)

--

v

Levante 5 (Martins 5, 25, 70, Uche 14, 46)
Athletic Bilbao 5 (Griezmann 24pen, 50, Susaeta 40, Muniain 49, Iturraspe 90)

Stupid - one word that describes this match. We were out of it and kept fighting back and eventually managed to scrape a point. Uche's 2nd goal for them was from 50 yards as my young keeper had a bit of a nightmare.

--

v

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Balenziaga 1, Susaeta 47, Villalibre 65)
Barcelona 4 (Suarez 5, 46, Neymar 54, 80)

A thrilling way to end the season even though we just came up short. Balenziaga's 2 goals this season has been against Barcelona and Villalibre once again scored - he has 8 goals in 10 appearances.

--

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]

[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Arrizabalaga[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose*[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos, Guillermo, Pena[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]Arrizabalaga[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta*[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Pena, Aurtenetxe, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]5-5[/TD]
[TD]Arrizabalaga[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann 2[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo, Pena, Aurtenetxe[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-4[/TD]
[TD]Arrizabalaga[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Pena, Villalibre[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

There wasnt much to play for at the end of the season to be honest. I played a few of the youngsters and on the whole we did ok. The season ended in a crazy fashion as we drew 5-5 away to Levante and then lost 4-3 to Barcelona.

I will show the league table etc in the end of season post. Might get it done tonight but it took me about 2 hours last time!!!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
MIKEL SAN JOSE
View attachment 298117

--

B TEAM WATCH

Bilbao Athletic 1-1 Ponferradina
Bilbao Athletic 2-0 Amorebieta

If they had beaten Ponferradina they would have won the league but as it is they go into the playoffs once again.

View attachment 298116​

 

[Klippybo]

Love this story. Inspired to start my own Bilbao adventure. Literally NO players worth signing first window. Mexican lad's coming for free though and i like the youth Oteo on the wing

The first transfer window is a non event really. I was considering getting Roberto Torres to add depth to midfield but didnt bother. Espericueta has surprised me massively so far. He is developing really nicely and I have no qualms chucking him in the first team regardless of who it may be against.

 

[Klippybo]

]

END OF SEASON POST

Every season I expect progress and we got that this season I feel.

In the league there wasnt that much progress admittedly. Once again we finished 3rd (once again 10pts behind 2nd placed Real Madrid), once again we scored over 100 goals and once again we conceded far too many. However there were positives. Beating Real Madrid was the main highlight while Muniain scoring 26 in La Liga is also a boost.

The main bit of progrss was the fact that we won our first trophy in the Copa del Rey. There were goals aplenty and in the semis we beat Barcelona 5-4 at home and somehow managed to draw 2-2 at the Nou Camp to reach the final where we beat Villarreal.

Small progress was made in Europe too as we reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League where Barcelona defeated us. We topped our group ahead of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund which was pleasing and we are gradually getting better.

Individually there were loads of plusses. Muniain was immense as was the clubs new record signing, Antoine Griezmann. My centre halves played well and Unai Lopez, Susaeta and Ibai Gomez were all excellent. Espericueta, Guillermo and Arrizabalaga came on with their games also which is positive.

The negatives would have to be Benat and Iraola. Benat missed the first 2 months of the season with injury and I feel that he never quite got into it. His goals all but vanished and he didnt create much either. As for Iraola, it is probably just the ageing process that is catching up with him!!!

--

FINAL LA LIGA TABLE
View attachment 298067
Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Real Betis sack their managers

--

FIRST TEAM SQUAD
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]NAME[/TD]
[TD]NAT[/TD]
[TD]NO[/TD]
[TD]POS[/TD]
[TD]APP[/TD]
[TD]GLS[/TD]
[TD]***[/TD]
[TD]MOM[/TD]
[TD]YEL[/TD]
[TD]RED[/TD]
[TD]AVR[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Kepa ARRIZABALAGA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.72[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Jon AURTENETXE[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]11+7[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]6.77[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Mikel BALENZIAGA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]41[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.08[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]BENAT[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]32+1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.95[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Oscar DE MARCOS[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]D/M[/TD]
[TD]26+18[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.97[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Borja EKIZA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]18+3[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.19[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Jorge ESPERICUETA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]26+16[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.96[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Xabier ETXEITA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]6+4[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.92[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]Alejandro GIL[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]31[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]+1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.70[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Antoine GRIEZMANN[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.53[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Iker GUARROTXENA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]34[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]+2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.75[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]GUILLERMO[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]F[/TD]
[TD]5+28[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]IBAI GOMEZ[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]30+9[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.23[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Andoni IRAOLA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]40+1[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Ander ITURRASPE[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]46[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Aymeric LAPORTE[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]41[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.40[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Erik MORAN[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]3+5[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.89[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Iker MUNIAIN[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]53[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.29[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Jurgi OTEO[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]+1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.70[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]Jon PENA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]1+10[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.82[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Jonas RAMALHO[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]32[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]2+3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.80[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Mikel RICO[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]10+8[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.99[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Stephane RUFFIER[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]G[/TD]
[TD]46[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.01[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Inigo RUIZ DE GALARRETA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]6+11[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.91[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Mikel SAN JOSE[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]48[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.26[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Aitor SEGUIN[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]27[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]+1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.70[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Markel SUSAETA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]51[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.27[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]UNAI LOPEZ[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]M[/TD]
[TD]46[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.29[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Borja VIGUERA[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]M/F[/TD]
[TD]5+9[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.88[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]Asier VILLALIBRE[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]F[/TD]
[TD]+4[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]7.18[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]XIKER[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]D[/TD]
[TD]+3[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[TD]6.70[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

MY PLAYER OF THE SEASON
IKER MUNIAIN
View attachment 298068

--

MY YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
UNAI LOPEZ
View attachment 298069

--

AWARDS WON

La Liga Spanish Top Scorer - I.Muniain
La Liga Team of the Year - I.Muniain, A.Laporte (Ibai Gomez, M.San Jose)
Spanish Player of the Year - I.Muniain
Spanish Young Player of the Year - Unai Lopez

--

B TEAM WATCH

Playoffs
Castilla 1-3 Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic 0-3 Castilla

ITS SAFE TO SAY THAT THEY BOTTLED IT!!!!

​

 

[Klippybo]

KRIS STUART IS APPOINTED AS THE NEW MANAGER OF TURKEY

This is going to be my first attempt at internationall management in FM15. After the Copa America and European Championships a host of international jobs came up and I was firstly offered the USA job (which I rejected) and then the Turkish job.

Turkey have some fantastic players - Arda Turan, Hakan Calhanoglu, Omer Toprak, Nuri Sahin and Bilal Basacikoglu stand out and hopefully I can find find a youngster or two to bring through.

I only envisage me being in this job until the end of the World Cup and to get there we are in a group alongside Switzerland, Romania, Georgia, Northern Ireland and Moldova.

As for the Euros, Spain romped it and didnt even look like losing but at the end of the tournament Del Bosque left his post as manager and my pre-decessor at Bilbao, Ernesto Valverde took the job.​

 

[Klippybo]

PRE-SEASON POST

This summer saw the arrival of one big signing and that was about it. I did have to move some players about to strengthen the B team a bit and make sure that all 3 of my main squads (First Team, B team, u19s) have an adequate amount of players.

There is nothing much else left to say about Athletic that happened inn the summer so I will show you the signings!!!

--

I brought back Ander Herrera to the club from Manchester United for $12m. He has been brought in to partner Iturraspe in midfield and hopefully score a few goals and create a load of chances. He is a signing that should hopefully help us take a step up to a higher level.
View attachment 297943

Liassine Cadamuro was brought in from Real Sociedad on a free transfer and the Algerian international will act as cover in all the defensive positions.
View attachment 297942

I also brought in two regens. Juan Gabriel came in from Recreativo for $400,000 and Juan Valero came in from Elche for $250,000.
View attachment 297941View attachment 297940

--

PLAYERS OUT

Two first team players left the club. Xabier Etxeita joined Cordoba for $1.1m and Borja Viguera joined Celta Vigo for $850,000. Thats it!!!!!

--

PLAYER MOVEMENTS

Asier Villalibre is now in the first team squad while due to the arrival of Ander Herrera I have put Jon Pena down to the B squad so he will get regular first team football. Xiker will also play for the B team this season and lets hope that the B team can finally get promotion!!!


​

 

[Klippybo]

AUGUST

Supercopa Final 1st Leg

v

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Pique og21, Griezmann 73, Villalibre 80)
Barcelona 2 (Messi 32pen, 48)

Villalibre strikes again!!! He was only on the pitch for 10min as he got injured just after he scored the winner. Griezmann scored a stunning free-kick to bring us level too.

--

v

Athletic Bilbao 3 (Susaeta 41, Muniain 71, Iturraspe 88)
Real Sociedad 0

When the fixture list came out I was quite happy to see that our big derby match was first up as with this comfortable victory it gets us up and running in fine style. Would have been a nightmare if we had lost though!

--

Supercopa Final 2nd Leg

v

Barcelona 2 (Messi 7, 51)
Athletic Bilbao 1 (Griezmann 17)
(Agg 4-4, Barcelona win on away goals)

I am so proud of my players here as we never had a chance because I was without 9 players, 5 of them defenders, so I had to field a 16y/o at left back. That numbers doesnt include the B team players that I couldnt select!!!

--

v

Valencia 4 (Neegredo 22, 86, Andre Gomes 49, Cartabia 70)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Griezmann 61, San Jose 80, Iturraspe 90)

I didnt fancy our chances here and although we gave it our best shot we just came up short. Balenziaga played the whole game despite being nowhere near match fit as I am so short of fit defenders just now.

--

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]

[/TD]
[TD]3-2[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Ekiza[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Cadamuro, Villalibre, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-0[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta*[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Benat, Ibai Gomez, Espericueta[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]1-2[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Ekiza[/TD]
[TD]Valero[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-4[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Espericueta[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo, Ruiz de Galarreta[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


--

SUMMARY

The opening month of the season couldnt have been much tougher as we faced Barcelona twice in the Supercopa, had a derby against Real Sociedad to open our league campaign and faced a tricky tie away to Valencia.

It seems our pre-season injury curse has struck once again but whereas last year it was on our midfielders, this year it has struck our defence and I honestly believe that that cost us the Supercopa.

In the Champions League we have gone up to be 2nd seeds but once again we are put in a pretty tricky group alongside Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and AS Monaco.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ANDER ITURRASPE
View attachment 297742

--

LA LIGA
View attachment 297741
Real Sociedad thrash Barcelona 4-0!!!!

View attachment 297736

--

B TEAM WATCH

Atletico Madrid B 1-1 Bilbao Athletic

​

 

[Seabear]

Can't believe you manage to re sign Herrera. Always one of my key players for United. Loving the story. Can't wait for your updates. Sorry for not commenting been away for a few months, trying to catch up with everything

 

[Judd]

This is one of the best stories I've read so far

 

[Bass13]

KLIPPY
Been a silent viewer of your stories for a few years now (sounds a bit creepy), always a great read. Keep it up!
Wanted to ask, what role do you play Muniain in when you play him upfront & any additional instructions you give him?... in this years game and last year I can’t seem get him firing like you do?

 

[AJ0207]

This is going great guns! How's Unai Lopez looking?

 

[stormart]

Great save man, keep it up!

 

[Klippybo]

SEPTEMBER

v

Athletic Bilbao 4 (Unai Lopez 48, 52, Iraola 59, Guillermo 90)
Almeria 1 (Molina 61)

There was a crazy start to this match as first Almeria missed a penalty on the 9th minute and then we went up the park and got a penalty which Griezmann missed on the 10th minute!!!

--

UEFA Champions League Group A

v

AS Monaco 5 (Djuricic 21, Firmino 30, Martial 38, 72, Benteke 69)
Athletic Bilbao 5 (Griezmann 3, Susaeta 7, 57, Radu og39, Guillermo 79)

CRAZY!!!

Going into this game I was told that Monaco were in turmoil as they didnt have a manager and for 7min that rang true but after that they bombarded us. We were able to pick them off on the break a few times fortunately and we somehow managed to walk away with a point.

--

v

Granada 3 (Lodeiro 22, 83, Aspas 44)
Athletic Bilbao 3 (Balenziaga 25, Muniain 28, Susaeta 70)

My defence is doing my head in at the moment as that is 8 goals conceded in 2 games now.

--

v

Athletic Bilbao 2 (Costas og44, Laporte 84)
Celta Vigo 1 (Stuani 13)

We made hard work of this as we played them off the park but just couldnt put the ball in the net. They had a man sent-off with 20min to go and it looked as though that Celta were going to escape with a point until Laporte popped up with a rare goal late on.

--

v

Barcelona 2 (Neymar 36, Messi 76)
Athletic Bilbao 0

Our defence crisis struck again here as Iraola and Balenziaga played despite only being 80% fit while Cadamuro is out for 3 months and Laporte was injured too. A 2-0 defeat isnt too bad considering methinks.

--

UEFA Champions League Group A

v

Athletic Bilbao 1 (Guillermo 23)
CSKA Moscow 0

A very rare and very welcome clean sheet!!!!

--

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]

[/TD]
[TD]4-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez* 2[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Benat, Guillermo, Espericueta[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]5-5[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Cadamuro[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta 2[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Ramalho, Ekiza, Guillermo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]3-3[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier*[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Ruiz de Galarreta[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]2-1[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Unai Lopez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo, Benat, Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]0-2[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]Iraola[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Benat[/TD]
[TD]Susaeta[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[TD]1-0[/TD]
[TD]Ruffier[/TD]
[TD]De Marcos[/TD]
[TD]San Jose[/TD]
[TD]Laporte*[/TD]
[TD]Balenziaga[/TD]
[TD]Iturraspe[/TD]
[TD]Herrera[/TD]
[TD]Ibai Gomez[/TD]
[TD]Griezmann[/TD]
[TD]Muniain[/TD]
[TD]Guillermo[/TD]
[TD]Villalibre[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

--

SUMMARY

Not the greatest of months if I am being honest. We slipped up in the league by drawing away to Granada and losing to Barcelona and in the Champions League we drew 5-5 in a crazy game against Monaco.

We did win a couple of games but we havent really clicked into gear yet. The injuries and being forced to play unfit players isnt helping while Muniain hasnt caught fire yet either.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
AYMERIC LAPORTE
View attachment 296350

--

LA LIGA
View attachment 297286

--

B TEAM WATCH

Bilbao Athletic 5-2 Real Union
Portugalete 0-2 Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic 5-0 La Hoya
Anguiano 1-4 Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic 4-2 Castilla

--

TURKEY

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers Group 4

v

Turkey 6 (B.Yilmaz 49, G.Tore 52, S.Kaya 58, Malli 60, C.Erkin 68, H.Calhanoglu 69)
Georgia 2 (Onwu 15, Dvalishvili 51pen)

Lineup - M.Gunok, V.Sari, O.Toprak (S.Aziz), S.Kaya, I.Koybasi, Malli, O.Ozyakup (A.Potuk), G.Tore, C.Erkin (D.Turuc), H.Calhanoglu, B.Yilmaz*

It seems the injury bug has followed me to Turkey as I was denied the likes of Arda Turan, Nuri Sahin, Bilal Basacikoglu, Onur Kivrak and Gokhan Gonul.

As it was Georgia provided stiff opposition and matched us but we had better individuals and took our chances better. They did have a first half goal disallowed though and funnily enough their opening scorer is actually Basque and can play for Bilbao!!!

--

UEFA World Cup Qulifiers Group 4

v

Romania 0
Turkey 3 (B.Yilmaz 6, B.Basacikoglu 29, H.Calhanoglu 53)

Lineup - M.Gunok, V.Sari, O.Toprak (S.Aziz), A.Demir, I.Koybasi, Malli, O.Ozyakup (T.Arslan), B.Basacikoglu*, C.Erkin, H.Calhanoglu, B.Yilmaz (M.Erdinc)

I am surprised at the nature of this victory as I thought Romania would give us a sterner test. Both sides had a goal disallowed and Burak Yilmaz also missed a penalty.

​

 

[Trotty]

This story encouraged me to do a basque i like a challenge on gone with Eibar it's interesting to say the least

 

[SeanKeaney]

Fantastic story so far mate!

 

[Klippybo]

This is going great guns! How's Unai Lopez looking?

The 2nd half of last season he was on fire when I changed him to a support striker. This season he has been quiet so far but we havent been firing on all cylinders and he has picked up an injury. I must admit I thought that his stats would have shot up a bit more than they have but he is still young and learning.

Wanted to ask, what role do you play Muniain in when you play him upfront & any additional instructions you give him?... in this years game and last year I can’t seem get him firing like you do?

I play him as a poacher. Thats it!!!! Done do any additional instructions or anything. He has started this season poorly but he will come good - or he better do anyway lol

 

[christianms95]

Just wanted to let you know that I love this story and it inspired me to start with Bilbao myself. I am 12 league games into the season and placed 3rd, behind Barca and Real. The only struggle i have is Iker Muniain.. He still hasn't scored in the League, cup or CL...