Athletic Bilbao: Basque-ing in Glory

May 2013 Part 1

Granada 2 – 0 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao 2 – 0 Sevilla

1

1

THANK YOU!!!




Thank you guys so much. 5,000 views is a record for me here and I'm super happy you guys are enjoying it as much as I am. Long may it continue

PELE: BARCA DUO UNPLAYABLE

Brazilian legend Pele has heaped praise onto Barcelona’s double act Lionel Messi and Neymar ahead of their Copa Del Rey final versus Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona will take on ‘Los Leones’ at the home of bitter rivals Real Madrid this Saturday as Pele tips the two stars to outshine all at the Santiago Bernabeu sell-out.

“We are talking about two players who consistently rise at the big occasions. Neymar and Messi are two of the best around right now. Both were born to play football and will win numerous trophies and awards together.

“This Saturday’s final could be another for their collection. They fit perfectly together and are just unplayable. It was bad enough for defenders when it was just Messi attacking them but now there is Neymar too on the other side with Iniesta and Xavi feeding them.

“I just don’t know how they can be stopped. You can try and tackle them aggressively, foul them, whatever. They are like flees who just won’t leave you alone. I would say they are incredible but they are much better than that.

“The most fascinating thing is they keep on improving! I think the defender who can deal with the pair is yet to be born.”

Having been crowned La Liga champions, the deadly duo have contributed to huge 100 goals, a stat which will surely frighten their opposition come Saturday.

1

KARANKA: BILBAO CAN WIN

Real Madrid assistant manager Aitor Karanka believes Athletic Bilbao can come out on top when they face Barcelona for the Copa Del Rey final.

The Clash that will take place at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium this Saturday as it will host La Liga’s 1st and 2nd placed sides, with Karanka believing the latter have what it takes to win.

“From what I can see, everybody is on the Barcelona band wagon. Everyone thinks they will win because they have this and that player but that’s too simplistic. Football isn’t like that, even less so in a final.

“It will be 11 v 11 in a game where anything can happen. Athletic Bilbao has been incredible this season and they know what it takes to beat the bigger teams. They’ve done it before this season against Barcelona and us so they have every chance of winning.”

Karanka played over 200 times for Bilbao in two spells and admits his sole support for them is purely because of his history and not because he represents Real Madrid.

“It’s unprofessional in my opinion to support Bilbao like that just because Barcelona and Real Madrid have strained affairs. I will watch the game like everyone else and of course I will feel affinity for Bilbao.

“Bilbao is the team that made me; I have family and friends there and of course after such a brilliant season, they deserve some success. Those are the only reasons.”

(A special thanks to Van Persie and his Home of Graphics thread who kindly made this banner above and a Copa Del Rey banner which will feature in my next update. Check him out!)