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Athletic Bilbao: Basque-ing in Glory

Started on 18 July 2013 by Verdinho
Latest Reply on 4 September 2013 by Rablador
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2013/14 Season


World Cup 2014 Winners




Italy


UEFA Champions’ League Winners




Barcelona


UEFA Europa League Winners




Borussia Dortmund


Club World Cup Championships Winners




Chelsea


La Liga Winners




Barcelona


Relegated




Real Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano, Celta de Vigo


Promoted




Levante, Las Palmas, Numancia


Barclays Premier League Winners




Arsenal


Relegated




Norwich City, Leicester City, Cardiff City


Promoted




Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Brighton & Hove Albion


Ligue 1 Winners




Paris Saint-Germain


Bundesliga Winners




Borussia Dortmund


Serie A Winners




AC Milan


Liga Zon Sagres Winners




FC Porto


Eredivisie Winners




Vitesse Arnhem

Athletic Bilbao’s 2013/14 Review


This season was a very difficult one for the team, enriched with highs and lows. From the wonder goals from Benat and healthy wins against Barcelona and Real Madrid to the rollercoaster of injuries, cup sorrows and defeats to rivals, we will have learnt a lot from this season.

It’s unfortunate that we didn’t manage to achieve our goals after failing to qualify for the Champions’ League but we should be back stronger next season providing we are able to add in certain areas.

Many young players of ours will return from loan moves too and I hope they can make the step up. All in all, it’s important not to be too greedy with progression and realise this season was decent. There will be many other top teams such as Valencia and Atletico Madrid who would like to be in our position.

Bilbao’s Player of the Year




Iker Muniain


Bilbao’s Top Goalscorer




Aritz Aduriz

28 Goals

Bilbao’s Most Assists




Markel Susaeta

18 Assists

Bilbao’s Most Appearances




Mikel San Jose

55 Appearances

Bilbao’s Highest Rated




Borja Ekiza

7.60

Bilbao’s Most Man of the Match Awards




Aritz Aduriz

6

Bilbao’s Team of the Year




Oceano’s Stats


Reputation: Continental Games Played: 108 Games Won: 68

Games Drawn: 18 Games Lost: 22 Goals For: 215

Goals Against: 82 Goal Difference: 133 Win %: 62%

Best Opinion: Marcelo Bielsa Worst Opinion: Jorge Jesus Wages: £30,000

Longest Time at Club: 733 days Awards Won: 1 Total Earnings: £3m

Players Bought: 12 Players Sold: 11 Total Spent: £61m

Total Received: £49m Highest Paid: £21m Highest Received: £31m

Players Released: 4

A VICTIM OF HIS OWN SUCCESS?



After a terrific first season with Athletic Bilbao in which Oceano finished 2nd, his following year was a little short of successful as they finished 5th behind Sevilla and Real Sociedad.

Not usually a bad position to finish but after the precedent set last season, there would have been many people expecting to see much better from ‘Los Leones’ this campaign.

Oceano is becoming a victim of his own success as the fans begin to point out clear flaws in his tactical abilities.

“We had the most wonderful and enjoyable first season” A fan said. “It is hard to go back to what we initially expected. I think some fans are right to voice their discontent at Oceano.

“Oceano didn’t do a good job this year. He spent a lot of money, which should have at least assured us of Champions’ League football but we failed at that.

“Furthermore, we finished behind Real Sociedad which will hurt for some time. I feel Oceano has become predictable. Other managers know more or less how he works and that cost us this season. I hate to say it but we failed.”


Reports suggest the board too were upset and disappointed with how the team performed at times this season but there are still fans who feel they comprehend what happen and devote their faith to the Portuguese manager.

“It’s easy to criticise our season and individual errors made but that is football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. These things were around with Bielsa too but we haven’t played as well as we have in a long time.

Sure it would have been nice to finish higher up and above rivals but we must understand we had a tough season, filled with injuries which not many managers would have been able to cope with.

“We had many games too which I trust this season we will better prepared for. We had great moments and I’m sure Oceano will lead us to more next year.”
Verdinho's avatar Group Verdinho
11 yearsEdited

SIMEONE OUT! OCEANO IN?



Atletico Madrid could soon approach Athletic Bilbao manager Oceano Cruz following the sacking of Diego Simeone.

The Argentine was dismissed after his side finished 7th in La Liga last season, two spots behind Athletic Bilbao.

‘Los Colchoneros’ President Enrique Cerezo has admitted his interest in Oceano, although he is also reviewing other options amongst the Portuguese manager.

“We have to analyse carefully what is the best choice for us managerially. One man you have mentioned is Oceano, who I regard as a very good manager and viable option.

“We are interested, but we are also interested in a host of other names so in reality, negotiations are still on square one and not as advanced as you may think.

“Our task will be to choose our manager with care and we hope to have something announced as soon as possible but we cannot promise any set date as of yet.”
Keep Going Lad you've got a great story here!! :D
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OCEANO NOT INTERESTED



Athletic Bilbao boss Oceano Cruz has denied having any desire in moving to Atletico Madrid following interest from ‘Los Colchoneros’.

Madrid President Enrique Cerezo was believed to have been keen on the option to appoint Oceano following the sacking of Diego Simeone but the Portuguese has refuted his approach.

“A move to Atletico doesn’t appeal to me at all, with all due respect. It isn’t a club I identify myself with. Their policy and methods are completely different to what I’m about.

“I’m very happy here at Athletic Bilbao and the upcoming season is all I am focused on at the minute. I have a deal here and unless the board say otherwise, I plan to honour my contract.

“I’m flattered by the interest I have received, both last year and this year. It is great to be mentioned amongst such names but I only have eyes for Bilbao at the moment.”


Oceano was shortlisted by La Liga champions Barcelona last season as a potential candidate before signing a new deal with Bilbao.
Good!! I would hate to see you jump ship! Great updates, I love these extra details in stories :D

TRANSFERS EXPECTED AT BILBAO



Oceano Cruz has told fans to expect plenty of transfer activity as Atheltic Bilbao aim to qualify for the UEFA Champions’ League next season.

The Portuguese boss who led Bilbao to 2nd and 5th in the past two seasons believes he will have to improve on both the quality and depth of the side in order to reach new and previous heights.

“I felt it was clear from last season that we were very thin around the edges. Many times we relied on younger inexperienced players such was our injury and fatigue problems.

“We definitely need to improve on both our depth and quality which will mean that I’ll be looking to add some players as well as utilising younger players who are returning on loan.”


Oceano has already shortlisted his targets but refuses to reveal any of them as the name Raul Garcia from Atletico Madrid begins to crop up.

“I have a good numbers of targets, ideally of which four or five could be joining. I won’t reveal who they are as that will both affect negotiations and disrespect other clubs.”
Loving these news updates, great to see you didn't go to Atletico!
Keep it up!! Good to see you sticking to your Bilbao guns!! ;)

BILBAO AFTER JAVI MARTINEZ



Athletic Bilbao has launched an audacious bid of £50 million for former captain and Bayern Munich star Javi Martinez.

The cultured holding midfielder has played 102 times for Bayern Munich after moving from Bilbao in 2012 for £35 million.

Oceano has admitted his interest and admiration for Martinez, declaring he will do all he can to bring the Spaniard back home.

“Javi Martinez is a world class player and we are after world class players. We’ve made an enquiry and offered what we believe is sufficient, we will now await and respect what Bayern Munich has to say on the matter.

“In my opinion, he’s the world’s best holding midfielder and I will try my best to bring him back. We know it may not be possible or as likely as other targets but I am prepared to offer higher for what is an incredible player.”


Martinez played 197 times for Athletic Bilbao in his six year spell at the club and rumours have surfaced that he could be looking at a transfer following Pep Guardiola’s move to Borussia Dortmund.
Great Updates, Martinez would be fantastic!
1
£50,000,000 :O tbh though it's worth it. Martinez is an absolute beast.
if you do a list of your transfers that would be great. Cheers.

ARTETA SIGNS FOR BILBAO



Arsenal’s vice-captain Mikel Arteta has returned to Spain to sign for Athletic Bilbao in a fee believed to be around £7.5 million.

Arteta signs a new three year deal on £60,000 a week at the age of 32, becoming Bilbao’s first flurry in the summer’s transfer market.

The former Everton and Real Sociedad man has declared his happiness at still being wanted at his age and thanked Oceano for the trust delivered in the fee.

“I’m very happy to be wanted by a club like Bilbao. £7.5 million is a lot to be for a 32 year old so there is a lot of trust riding on this deal and I believe I won’t disappoint.

“I join at an exciting time. Last season wasn’t as good as expected for Bilbao fans but it is now that we must start to pull away and show our qualities. We have many fantastic players here and I’m sure we will return stronger than ever.”


Oceano says he has no regrets whatsoever over signing Arteta for such a fee and believes the Spaniard can fit the same purpose as Andrea Pirlo has at Juventus.

“Arteta is a very accomplished central midfielder. He’s a typical Spanish midfielder so there is no need to list his best abilities. At Arsenal, he played a lot deeper and those qualities will be welcomed with both arms here.

“I think he is still a very good player and he can offer a very similar service to what Andrea Pirlo has done at Juventus. Class is permanent with these players.”


Arteta amassed a total of 252 appearances in the Barclays Premier League with Everton and Arsenal, scoring 40 times in a 10 season spell.

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