The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

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Copa del Rey - Semifinals - 2nd leg

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ATLETICO MADRID 2 - ATHLETIC BILBAO 0

With a congested fixture list Manager Fuerte knew it was going to be an uphill battle facing top league side Atletico Madrid in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey, "Look, we have a lot of tired players and we know it will take a Herculean effort to advance but our boys are a game bunch. The fixture gods have dealt us a bad hand but it's up to us to play it out."

Unfortunately a squad consisting of several young players couldn't get it done tonight as Atletico sent the Lions home packing in the round of 8. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. We played hard but Atletico were the better squad over the 2 legs. We get them in March on our turf. We'll be looking forward to that game."



Up next: @ Osasuna

Semifinals matchups:

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Re: The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

News on the transfer front:

Real Sociedad have informed Athletic Bilbao that they have zero interest in letting Antoine Griezmann join our squad



Athletic Bilbao approached Real Madrid about 2 Basque players, Illarramendi & Xabi Alonso. They were promptly told "go f yaself by Real Madrid"

Bilbao granted an additional 400k in transfer funds for reaching the round of 16.

FC Mainz approached Bilbao for CF Aduriz and offered 4 million, which is 1.2 million above his value. Bilbao has/had no interest in selling the player but countered with 5 million. They offer was pulled.

Bilbao has targeted Olympique Lyon CF Zakarie Labidi. He's said to have some Basque roots in his family tree

ST Mario Barco has been loaned out to Derby County of the English Championship

Players promoted from the youth squad:

CB/CDM Bento Henriques (French)
LB - Diego Gonzales (Spanish)
LM - Mario Diaz (Spanish)
LM - Patricio Estrada (Spanish)
CDM - Juan Guerra (Spanish)

Youth Academy Players:

CM - Andres Castillo (15)
CM - Carlos Alberto (15)
CM/RM - Pablo Escobar (16)

Pablo (no relation to the real Pablo Escobar) will most likely be called up shortly.

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OSASUNA 0 - ATHLETIC BILBAO 2

That's 6 straight wins in the league for you folks counting at home after today's 2-0 dispatching of Osasuna in the pouring rain. A 40th minute tap-in by ST Toquero and a 65th minute strike by Ibai Gomez were enough to see the visitors through. Manager Fuerte deployed a 4-4-2 formation with 2 physical STs to take advantage of a smaller CB pairing by Osasuna, "I thought we could bully them a little bit in the air but it was really the hold-up play by Aduriz and the determination by Toquero that made us click today. Toquero specifically was awesome. Our ST's have really been on a good run of form as of late. Not just goal scoring either, their overall play has been excellent." There was a bit of sad news as CM Benat was lost for 3 months with an LCL tear. He is the 3rd Bilbao CM to miss significant time this year.



Up next: Home to Espanyol

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ATHLETIC BILBAO 3 - ESPANYOL 0

Bilbao made it seven straight tonight behind a brace off the head of Inaki Williams. Since tasting defeat to Barcelona the Lions have run through December & January snatching all 21 possible points. A climb that has seen them rise to 5th in the table after 22 games. "It's no secret, we've been on a great run of form in the League and with some key guys it's been a real team effort. The youngsters have responded well called upon and the vets have put in professional performances. One such youngster is FW Inaki Williams. After displaying his finishing prowess for the B side last year the young striker responded today with 2 goals, "To get a brace was nice but in all honesty I'm upset at all of the chances I missed today. I felt like I could have 4 or 5." said the young cocky Bilbao player. The run of form will be put to the test as the San Mammes will be rocking when 4th place Real Madrid come to town. Madrid easily handled Bilbao 3-0 back in August.




Up next: Home to Real Madrid

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Re: The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

It's the January window deadline day and some big names look to be on the move:

Who's going:



French International Karim Benzema is on his way to Dortmund



Robert Lewandoski, who put 4 past Real last year, is on his way to the Spanish Capital. He will be joined by no other than:



Also joining Real is Spanish International David Silva


Barcelona saw what Real did and splashed for none other than Kun Aguero


Sevilla procured the services of one Luis Muriel from Udinese


Athletic Bilbao rejected several offers for starting keeper Iraizoz but did sell reserve ST Guillermo to Dutch side ADO Den Haag for 525k. He was deemed to be surplus after the recent play of Inaki Williams & Toquero.

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Re: The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

Liga BBVA Table
TEAM	GP	W	D	L	PTS
Atletico Madrid	21	16	3	2	51
FC Barcelona	21	14	6	1	48
Valencia	22	14	4	4	46
Real Madrid	21	13	6	2	45
Athletic Bilbao	22	10	8	4	38
Real Betis	23	11	5	7	38
Espanyol	22	9	7	6	34
Real Sociedad	22	10	3	9	32
Malaga	22	8	7	7	31
Levante	22	9	3	10	30
Sevilla	21	9	2	10	29
Osasuna	22	8	5	9	29
Villarreal	22	7	6	9	27
Elche	23	6	5	12	23
Valladolid	22	5	6	11	21
Celta Vigo	22	4	7	11	19
Rayo Vallecano	22	2	10	10	16
UD Almeria	21	4	3	14	15
Granada CF	22	3	6	13	15
Getafe	21	1	8	12	11

Soccer Leaders - Updated: Jan 1, 2015
Top Scorers	Goals	Assists
1. Garreth Bale - Real Madrid	15	1. Muniain - Athletic Bilbao	6
2. Neymar - Barcelona	13	2. Corominas - Elche	5
3. Oriol Riera - Osasuna	11	3. David Barral - Levante	5
4. Guardado - Valencia	10	4. Diego Costa - Atletico Madrid	5
5. Diego Costa - Atletico Madird	10	5. Griezmann - Real Sociedad	5
Clean Sheets	CS
1. Courtois - Atletico Madrid	10	1.
2. Iraizoz - Bilbao	8	2.
3. Diego Lopez - Real Madrid	6	3.
4. Javi Varas - Sevilla	6	4.
5. Bravo - Real Sociedad	6	5.

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Re: The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

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Rewind back to Matchday 2 and the team you'll see on the field was nothing like the team you see now. What's even more perplexing to so-called "experts" is Bilbao's ability to win without key contributors in the midfield (De Marcos - Broken Elbow, Benat - LCL, Ander Herrerra - Broken Ankle, Ituraspe - Knee Sprain), "The sign of a top club is their ability to respond to adversity. When those guys went down folks around town got to know what myself and all of the coaches already know, we have some kids who can play at any level, all they need is the chance." said Manager Fuerte. One of those kids is CM Akexte who in the 57th minute slipped the tackle of Luka Modric and wrong-footed Diego Lopez to open the scoring. 4 minutes later Lopez's poor clearance would put Aduriz in on goal. The Bilbao CF had issues early in the season but has been finding the back of the net as of late. 7 minutes later it was Athletic winger Susaeta who picked out Munian's timely run. His volley put the visitors away. The San Mammes was rocking all night and a heart-felt ovation after the full-time whistle had blown capped off an emotional night, "It was the loudest I've ever seen them." said Susaeta. The win marked Bilbao's 8th in a row and put the rest of La Liga on notice. "We're probably a little too far behind to make a run at the title but if any of the big 4 slip up we'll steal their spot." said the Captain RB Iraola.

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Match Day 24
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Athletic Bilbao 3 - Celta Vigo 1

Reverse fixtures are always tricky in La Liga, especially when you're club is in the midst of a tight schedule. Throw in some injuries and this one had all the writings of an upset alert. Celta Vigo got things started early and in the 8th minute found themselves ahead thanks in part to some spotty defending & keeping. Reserve keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga charged out but was indecisive and paid the price, getting beaten by Mauricio Pinilla. It's the first time Bilbao has been down in 9 matches. A minute later Vigo were on the attack again as a poor decision by Ekiza put Pinilla in on goal only to see his shot ricochet off the post. In the 17th minute Bilbao finally woke up. Munian played Aduriz into space. The ST who's used to being on the end of crosses fired one albeit a little to close to the keeper. Ibai Gomez was there to clean it up with the header to tie the game at 1 a piece. Shortly after, in the 21st it was Munian again driving the Bilbao engine, this time sending in the cross to Aduriz whose volley put the visitors ahead. Bilbao looked to be in trouble when Aduriz was sent off following his 2nd yellow. With no attack man up front, Fuerte called on reserve CF Toquero to lead the line, "We struggled in the 10-15 minutes after Aduriz went off. We had no outlet up front to hold up play. Toquero filled that role admirably." said Fuerte. Toquero's determination led to the 3rd goal after Susaeta took it off the foot of a Vigo defender and fired it into the top corner, "We practice a man-down all the time so we were prepared for this. Toquero's pressure up top let me sneak up and close the play down." said Susaeta. :



The win marks the 9th in a row for Bilbao with a chance for 10 in a row when they take on a game Betis side.

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MATCHDAY 6
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ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 - REAL BETIS 0

Scoring Summary:
'59 - Williams
'65 - Susaeta

It took 59 minutes for Bilbao to crack a game Betis today. With CF Aduriz serving his one match ban for a red card youngster Inaki Williams led the line and his tap-in gave the visitors a lead they wouldn't relinquish.6 minutes later it was Susaeta who cleaned up the Inaki shot and put the visitors in the driver's position for all 3 points.

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Matchday 26
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GRANADA 0 - ATHLETIC BILBAO 1

GAME SUMMARY:
'87 Goal - Munian (ATB)

It took 86+ minutes but Bilbao stretched this impressive league run to 10 straight wins following the 1-0 win against Grenada. Substitute Iker Munian's goal broke the deadlock and propelled the boys from Basque country to 5th place and in real contention for the final Champions League spot. To make things even better Bilbao found out that CM Ander Herrerra will be fit for next game vs Atletico.






Up next will be a home tie against 1st place Atletico Madrid

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MATCHDAY 27

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Athletic Bilbao 3 - Atletico Madrid 0

There was a buzz around the stadium when news broke that CM Ander Herrera was in the starting lineup today, "Ander was cleared and was ready to go. It was good seeing him back out there" said Manager Carlos Fuerte. Herrera made his presence felt in the 41st minute when his hustle and determination was rewarded after a sloppy clearance by Atletico keeper Courtious. With the momentum in Bilbao's court it was leading scorer Susaeta's individual effort that gave Bilbao the 2-0 lead. His left-footed finish after cutting in stunned the Atletico faithful who made the trip north from the capital. Athletic were in cruise control in the 2nd half and in the 89th Ibai Gomez put the icing on the cake with a pirouette in the box leading to the 3-0 win and Bilbao snatching all 3 points, "It was good to finally get a win vs these guys. They had knocked us out of the Copa and held us scoreless the first time in the league." said Susaeta. The rest of the league got put on notice after beating both top 4 sides from Madrid by a combined 6-0 scoreline.



Up next: 3rd place Valencia(H)

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MATCHDAY 28

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VALENCIA 2 - ATHLETIC BILBAO 1

All good streaks must come to an end and today Bilbao's streak of 11 wins in a row (5 short of Barcelona's record 16 from 2010-11) was abruptly halted at the Mestalla. 2 goals conceded from free kicks doomed the visitors with LB Matheiu heading home the winner in the 86th minute. The win puts Valencia 7 points clear with 10 to play in the race for the final Champions League spot (Real Madrid is actually 4th but they just beat Barcelona and still have a game in hand plus a much greater goal differential). "The fellas have nothing to be ashamed about today. We'll rebound. We're a resilient bunch." said Fuerte



Up next will be Elche

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MATCHDAY 29

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ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 - ELCHE 0

Athletic Bilbao found themselves once again amongst winning ways tonight with a 1-0 defeat over Elche. With a full complement of players (minus the injured Benat) it was young substitute Carazo who would fire in a cross which was eventually headed-home by Aduriz. The young winger Carazo has made the most of his playing time as he's chipped in an impressive 3 assists in 4 matches. Bilbao is still keeping pace with the Top 4 and if any should falter Bilbao will look to seize the opportunity to move into the top 4.




Up next - @ Villarreal

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MATCHDAY 30

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ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 - VILLARREAL 1

For only the second time in 13 matches Bilbao found themselves behind on the score-sheet. After an opening flurry that saw Mikel Rico put the ball into the side-netting it was the hosts who went ahead in the 41st. A De Marcos foul around midfield allowed Dorado to play the ball into the box off the free kick. Cani got a head to it and Bruno and finished it off to give the yellow submarine the 1-0 lead. The visitors were quick to respond, albeit through a stroke of luck as Mikel Rico's shot was deflected into the goal shortly before halftime. A good passage of build-up play nearly saw the home side go up but Mexican International Gio dos Santos' shot was well wide. As often is the case in football, the failure to capitalize is magnified when the other club seizes its chances and Bilbao did just this in the 88th when LB Balenziaga marauded forward and blasted a shot past the Villarreal keeper. It was his 2nd goal of the year and by far his most important as the visitors snatched all 3 points.