The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

[KG]

[KG]

MATCHDAY 28

VS

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

[KG]

MATCHDAY 29

vs

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

[KG]

MATCHDAY 30

vs

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.

[orion523]

11 straight wins takes some doing, especially in that league where the clubs are very very competitive. Bravo! The loss, while a setback certainly isn't a killer, you can do it!

[KG]

Match Day 31 vs Getafe Live Broadcast:

Watch live video from Kgx2thez on www.twitch.tv

[KG]

Breaking news out of Basque Country

Starting Keeper Iraizoz has suffered a broken rib in training and will be sideline for 2 months thus ending his season. The 33 yr old keeper is 2nd in La Liga with 12 clean sheets. With Bilbao fighting for a Champions League place it will be up to backup keepers Herrerin and Kepa Arrizabalaga to take the reigns and be the shot stopper that Iraizoz has been this year.

Herrerin has made 4 appearances, all in the Spanish Cup where he failed to record a clean sheet. Kepa Arrizabalaga has also made 4 appearances, all in the league, and has recorded 2 clean sheets. He has recently asked the coaching staff for more 1st team football. He's been called the future 1st team keeper and manager Fuerte will get a good chance to evaluate him, "It's unfortunate (the injury to Iraizoz) but just like other positions it's time for others to step up and prove their value. We'll be fine. I have confidence in the fellas"

Joining Iraizoz on the injury list are:

Benat - LCL tear (Fit in ~4 weeks)
Mikel San Jose - Sprained Ankle (Should be 100% fit in a week)
Ander Herrera - Sprained Ankle (should be OK by the next match)

[KG]

[quote=KG;2045941546]

MATCHDAY 32

vs

ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 - LEVANTE 2

High drama in Valencia tonight as Athletic Bilbao snatched a point late to keep their Champions League aspirations alive. Miscues in their own half looked to doom Bilbao early as CB Aymeric Lapote was dispossessed in his own half. Ekiza's poor clearance fell to the feet of Levante's Ivanoschitz who buried the shot in the 11th minute. 3 minutes later Bilbao found themselves down 2-0 after Ekiza was wrong-sided allowing David Barral to dribble 30 yards and put a shot past Kepa to put the hosts up two. Bilbao would regroup in the 2nd half with Iker Munian's tight dribbling in the box leading to a cross which would find the head of Ander Herrera. Herrera, who has been lacking confidence since his return to the side, would bury the header. A few minutes later Munian was back testing the keeper, this time his shot was parried to an on-rushing Aduriz who couldn't control the rebound. When all hope looked lost it was CM De Marcos who would find some space inside the box and calmly finish the left-footed shot amidst and a charging down keeper. It was the mid-fielders first goal of the season, "I felt like we slept through the first half so it obviously it was to good to get a result. Breaking my drought didn't hurt either." said De Marcos.



Up next: vs Malaga