The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

[KG]

Matchday 3
The Bernabeau

vs

Real Madrid 4 - Athletic Bilbao 0

Goals:
'12 - Ronaldo
'27 - Di Maria
'45 - Bale
'70 - Modric (

Not much went right for the boys from Basque today as they were put to the flame by a game Real Madrid side. Cristiano Ronaldo got things off to a fast start with a goal in the 12th minute but it was the goal by newcomer Garreth Bale before halftime that summed everything up:



Manager Carlos Fuerte says he doesn't feel the pressure but he'll need to get some results soon to avoid Bilbao getting out of the Euro league race before it even starts.

[KG]

Matchday 4
vs
Athletic Bilbao 1 - Celta Vigo 1

Goal Summary:
'22 - Aduriz (ATB)
'59 - Rafinha (CV)

Sides like Celta Vigo at home are supposed to be 3 points for clubs like Bilbao but the Basque giants were unable to hold onto an early lead. Bilbao ST Aduriz put them ahead 1-0 with a thunderous header in the 22nd but in the 2nd half Rafinha put on a dazzling display leaving several Bilbao defenders in his dust before calmly slotting his shot in the right-hand corner with a finesse flick from his left foot:



The draw puts Bilbao on 2 points after 4 games with a trip Barcelona to take on RCD Espanyol next.

[Qb]

Not the strongest start, Señor Fuerte. Good choice with Bilbao, fun team to play with the last couple years.

[KG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

Not the strongest start, Señor Fuerte. Good choice with Bilbao, fun team to play with the last couple years.

Hopefully the board has patience with me while I figure out our squad and how to play 14. It's been a while since I've played a mode other than BAP/BAL.

[KG]

http://www.pesoccerworld.com/images/..._liga_bbva.png

Matchday 5
vs

ESPANYOL 0 - ATHLETIC BILBAO 2

Match Summary:
'25 - Susaeta (ATB)
'53 - Red Card - Mikel San Jose (ATB)
'66 - Susaeta (ATB)

Athletic Bilbao finally get in the win column tonight as they traveled to Barcelona and knocked off Espanyol 2-0 behind a brace from veteran winger Susaeta. After a through ball by Munian put Aduriz on goal. His shot was parried but fell right to the hustling Susaeta who calmly slotted it home. After some back and forth Athletic CB Mikel San Jose was sent off for a rash challenge early in the 2nd half leaving Bilbao to go the remainder of their way with 10 men. Up to the challenge, Bilbao would respond behind a moment of brilliance by Susaeta as took on multiple defenders and rocketed a shot into the back of the net:



Up next will be a home tie against Real Betis.

[KG]

http://www.pesoccerworld.com/images/..._liga_bbva.png

MATCHDAY 6
vs

ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 - REAL BETIS 2

Scoring Summary:
'4 - Sosa (RB)
'23- Ander Herrera (ATB)
'74 - Juanfran (RB)
'89 - Susaeta (ATB)

Fans who attended today's game were treated to some exciting action today. Real Betis quieted the Basque crowd early as their decisive passing cut through the Bilbao back-line culminating with a goal in the 4th minute by Betis CAM Sosa. Athletic settled and Ander Herrera took it upon himself beating a defender and instead of going to ground inside the box got a shot off and then followed up his own rebound to tie the game at 1. Betis' Juanfran looked to have the winner in the 74'th minute but Bilbao winger Munian found some space in the box and delivered a cross that went over the keeper and found the diminutive Susaeta who headed it across the goal for the equalizer as Bilbao escaped with a point.



Up next will be a trip to Granada on 3 days rest.

[KG]

News from around La Liga

BBVA La Liga Standings
TEAM	GP	W	D	L	PTS
Atletico Madrid	6	6	0	0	18
Valencia CF	6	5	1	0	16
Real Madrid	6	4	2	0	14
FC Barcelona	6	3	3	0	12
CA Osasuna	6	3	1	2	10
Malaga CF	6	3	2	1	10
Levante UD	6	3	1	2	10
UD Almeira	6	3	0	3	9
Sevilla FC	6	2	2	2	8
Villarreal	6	2	2	2	8
Elche CF	6	2	1	3	7
Real Betis	6	2	1	3	7
Athletic Bilbao	6	1	3	2	6
RCD Espanyol	6	1	3	2	6
Real Sociedad	6	1	3	2	6
Celta Vigo	6	1	2	3	5
Real Valladolid	6	1	2	3	5
Getafe CF	6	1	1	4	4
Rayo Vallecano	6	1	0	5	3
Granda CF	6	0	2	4	2

Top Scorers
Kevin Gameiro - Sevilla - 5
Nosa - Real Betis - 5

Assists:
Isco - Real Madrid - 3

Clean Sheets:
Courtouis - Atletico Madrid - 5

Yellow Cards:
Javier Mascherano - 3

Diego Simeone has his club flying out of the gates with a perfect start behind Chelsea GK loanee Thibeaut Courtois. The Belgian #1 has 5 clean sheets in 6 games. On their heels is a surprising Valencia squad that is battling through another injury to a Chelsea loanee, Oriol Romeu who recently broke his collarbone. Behind them sit Real Madrid and Barcelona who are yet to taste defeat as well.

In Basque country two players have really stood out, Ander Herrera and Susaeta who have been the main scoring threats so far. Susaeta has 3 goals in 4 appearances while Ander Herrera has 1 goal and 1 assist. Manager Carlos Fuerte wants to get more from ST Aduriz who's hit the woodwork multiple times this year and has been a real threat in the air taking advantage of the good service from Munian, Susaeta, and Ibai Gomez. Defensively Ekiza has taken over the CB role from aging veteran Gurpegi who has announced that this season will be his last. His lack of pace was exposed vs Real Madrid but the manager knows that he will still play a huge part this year.

[dodar]

Quote: Originally Posted by KG

Thanks my fellow Skins fan/sufferer. Yeah, Only Basque/local players. I'm going to use the GTN sparingly and invest heavily in my youth academy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

haha yeah...
Awesome! There are some French Basque players so that could be an option! The new set out is great!
#following