The Basque Way

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'The Good, The Bad, And
The Brilliant'

With the Liga BBVA taking its annual Winter break, we thought we would take a look at the men who are propelling Sergio Creatas' Basque team into the limelight and those who are yet to impress. Bilbao lie third in the league at Christmas 8 points from the leaders with a game in hand, at this stage it looks a straight fight between Bilbao and Atletico Madrid for best of the rest in Spain.

'The Good'

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Benat, 25- The midfield mystro was Creatas' main signing in the summer and has repaid his manager with a number of brilliant performances in the heart of midfield. Although he will be a little dissapointed at only scoring the one goal he has been pivotal in Bilbao staying with the powerhouses of Spanish football.

Borja Ekiza, 24 - The young Spanish centre half has been brilliant at the centre of defence this season, providing a solid basis for the team to build on. Ever present in the league this season he has also chipped in with a couple of goals, keeping Amorebieta out of the team.

Jon Aurtenetxe, 20 -
The young promising left back has made the position his own this season, as part of a solid back 5 that have provided a strong foundation for the Basque club. The Spanish manager has even taken notice declaring the 20 year old as the future left back for the Country.

'The Bad'

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Iker Muniain, 20 - Much was expected of 'the best youth product ever to come out of San Mames' but he is yet to show it. 4 goals in 18 appearances is far from the rate required from the man set to replace goal scoring hero Llorente, he will need a better second half to the season or Creatas will have a few questions to answer.

Artiz Aduriz, 31 - This ageing striker clearly isn't the answer to Creatas' problems when Llorente leaves, with just 2 goals in 11 games this season the Spaniard has not made the most of his chances in the cups. A strong second half of the season will be needed to convince Creatas not to look elsewhere next season.

'The Brilliant'

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Fernando Llorente, 27 -
The outgoing striker hasn't let the fact he is leaving affect his performances this term with 29 goals before the winter break. The stand-out performer in Liga BBVA this season besides the usual duo is in the running for the Ballon D'or and will be looking to leave the Basque club on a high.

Aymeric Laporte, 18 - The young French centre back hasn't just forced his way into the Bilbao first team this term he has also made his debut for his country. The dream season so far for the teenager has seen him chip in with 3 goals in 19 games and ensured Amorebieta has been sat on the bench.

Ibai Gomez, 23 - Outshining Muniain and Susaeta so far this season the uncapped Spaniard has provided 8 goals and 12 assists in just 18 starting appearances making him Bilbao's second top scorer. With a nack for being in the right place at the right time, and ability to find the back of the net the 23 year old may be considered more as a poacher next term.

 
December 2012

It may be the season of good cheer but athletic Bilbao were not for giving any presents away in a tough December that saw them take 4 wins from 7, losing only to table toppers Barcelona. Bilbao ensured they took top spot in their European group with an easy win over Kiryat Shmona before eliminating Alcorcon from the Spanish cup. In the league Bilbao took their only win of the month against Zaragoza whilst drawing in exciting games with Celta and Mallorca.

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Bilbao started the month with a dogged performance against champions elect Barcelona, neutralising the Catalan team until a controversial 62nd minute penalty saw Bilbao chase a game that they ultimately lost 2-0. Goals from Muniain and Ekiza saw the Basque club dispatch Kiryat-Shmona 2-0 in the Europa league. A result that saw them top their group and set up a first round tie with Hannover of Germany. A brace from Llorente wasn't enough to secure victory at home to Celta as Bilbao dropped 2 points in an exciting 2-2 draw before they took a 2-0 away lead in the Spanish cup against Alcorcon. Athletic then replicated the scoreline of a week ago with a 2-2 draw against Mallorca, Llorente and Susaeta on target this time, the latter scoring a 76th minute equaliser. Bilbao ended the month with a two straight wins, 2-1 against Alcorcon to advance in the Spanish cup and then an easy 4-1 win over Zaragoza that saw a brace from Llorente taking his tally to 29 before Christmas.

Star Man - Llorente -
The Spaniard continued his deadly ways in front of goal with a total of 7 goals during the month. The towering striker has been absolutely unstoppable this season with 29 goals in just 23 games.

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'The Club Legend'

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The Bilbao fans paid an emotional tribute this week to the man set to leave the San Mame for the final time come the end of the season Fernando Llorente. The homage to the striker came in the wake of a month that has seen him hit 12 goals, including 5 in one game against Rayo and become one of Los Leones greats. Fans turned out in force to watch the front man at the San Mame against Osasuna and the Spaniard didn't disappoint, scoring a brace that takes him to 41 goals in 29 games this season. 33 of which have come in the league, leaving him 17 away from the record set by Lionel Messi last season with 17 games to achieve it. Llorente is also 6 goals away from beating Telmo Zarra' league record of 39 goals set way back in 1952.

Is Fernando now a club Legend? What do you think?

 
January 2013

An action packed month for the Basque club during which they took 4 wins from 7 games, losing just the once and scoring a remarkable 23 goals in the process. It wasn't all smiles this month however as they were knocked out of the Spanish cup by Atletico Madrid, and conceded a hefty amount of 14 goals. The month contained league wins over Sevilla, Levante, Rayo and Osasuna as well as two draws in the Spanish cup with Bilbao going out on the away goal ruling. The only loss of the month came away to Betis, in a game where Benat and Muniain both picked up injuries that will see them out for a month.

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The month began with wins over Sevilla and Levante in the league, Bilbao found their shooting boots during these two games scoring 9 times with 6 different scorers led by Llorente with 4 strikes. Next the Basque club played host to Atletico Madrid in the Spanish cup where goals from Toquero and Llorente weren't enough to take a lead into the second leg in a 2-2 draw. In between the Spanish cup games Bilbao destroyed Rayo 7-2 with Llorente equalling Lionel Messi' record of 5 goals in a game before they were knocked out on away goals by Madrid after only managing a 1-1 draw at the home of their rivals. The only loss of the month came as Betis made Bilbao pay for missing chances in Creatas 4th loss as Bilbao manager, going down 3-1 and losing two key players to injury in the form of Benat and Muniain. Bilbao retuned straight to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Osasuna with Llorente claiming yet another brace and taking his tally to 41 goals in 29 games for the season, racing clear at the top of the Liga BBVA scoring charts.

Key Man - Ibai Gomez - Despite Fernando Llorente running away with 12 goals during the month, Ibai Gomez played an equally important role in the month of January. Ibai laid on 5 goals for his team-mates and contributed 2 himself in a month that saw him lay claim to one of the two attacking midfield roles in the club. With Iker Muniain out for a month he will be keen to impress his manager and ensure he keeps the slot up on his return.

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Well i hope you are all enjoying this story as much as I am!! My favourite save to date, and potentially going to be the most challenging. The bad news is I am going away to work for a while now so won't have internet access.... which means a pause in the story. I will return to the save as soon as I am back!!

Any feedback on this story is much appreciated, anything from the layout to suggested signings etc... can only help!!
 
good story hopefully you get a good youth intake. also when javi martinez becomes available do everything to get him
 
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