The Lions of Basque Country - Athletic Bilbao FIFA 14

[KG]

Club - Athletic Bilbao
FIFA '14
World Class
All-Manual (except for crossing)
10 min halves

New Argentinian Manager Carlos Fuerte takes over the reigns at Athletic Bilbao hoping to lead them to uncharted territory. With a strong tradition and youth academy to build on, the Lions from Basque country look to break into the Big 4 in Spain challenging the like likes of Barcelona & Real Madrid. "It will be tough because not only do you have 2 of the premier clubs in the world but also strong sides like Valencia, Sevilla, and Atletico Madrid. It will be a challenge but one my staff and players are up to." said the new manager.

Bilbao has traditionally relied on the strong technical foundation instilled in its youngsters at its prestigious youth academy and rely on it's cantera policy of promoting young Basque players through the ranks and into the first team.

[KG]

Squad
Num Position Name Age At Club Since
1 GK Gorka Iraizoz 32 2007
2 FW Gaizka Toquero 29 2009
4 DF Aymeric Laporte 19 2012
5 MF Erik Morán 22 2012
6 DF Mikel San José 24 2013
7 MF Beñat Etxebarria 26 2013
8 MF Ander Iturraspe 24 2008
9 FW Kike Sola 27 2013
10 MF Óscar de Marcos 24 2009
11 FW Ibai Gómez 24 2010
12 FW Unai Albizua 25 2013
13 GK Iago Herrerín 26 2013
14 MF Markel Susaeta 26 2007
15 DF Andoni Iraola 31 2003 (vice captain)
16 DF Xabi Etxeita 26 2013
17 MF Mikel Rico 29 2013
18 MF Carlos Gurpegui 33 2002 (captain)
19 FW Iker Muniain 21 2009
20 FW Aritz Aduriz 32 2012
21 MF Ander Herrera 24 2011
22 DF Enric Saborit 21 2013
23 DF Borja Ekiza 25 2011
24 DF Mikel Balenziaga 25 2013
28 FW Guillermo Fernández 20 2013

It's a relatively small squad but boasts a high number of players who made it through the ranks to the first team.

[KG]

Bilbao, Espana

The first order of business for new manager Carlos Fuerte was to hire Guillermo Sanchez, a 4* star scout from Basque country. With a 9.5 million euro budget Mr. Sanchez comes at a hefty price (7mil) but it only reaffirms their dedication to finding the best local talent.

Tactically Mr. Fuerete will proceed with a 4-2-1-3 formation relying on pacy wingers Iker Munian, Markel Susaeta, and Ibai Gomez. It will be hard replacing Fernando Llorente but former Bilbao youth product Artiz Aduriz has been brought back to the club to be the target man in front of goal. The midfield will be relied upon to play the high-pressure ball retention football that made the club successful in reaching the 2011-12 Europa League Final. Benat Extebarria comes home and will feature along side the likes of Ander Inturasappe, Mikel Rico, and Carlos Gurpegui while Oscar de Marcos and Ander Herrera will be relied upon to be the creative forces behind Turiz.

Defensively Mikel Baglencia was brought in to help solidify the backline pairing with Andoni Iraola, Xabi Exteria, and newly called up Aymeric Laporte.

Between the sticks Iraizoz will be the first choice keeper with Herrerin serving as a replacement in spot duty.

The managers goals are as follows:

League - Europa League Qualification
Copa Del Ray - Reach the Round of 16

Preseason fixtures include SC Bastia from Ligue 1, Bologna from Serie A, and FC Augsburg from the Bundesliga. All we simmed

[KG]

Breaking News

LB Amyeric Laporte has suffered a broken foot in training which will keep him sidelined for up 2 months. Laporte was expected to be the starting LB for Athletic Bilbao. Balenziaga will have to step up and slot into LB in his absence.

Breaking Breaking News

Balenziaga suffered a bruised calf in the last preseason friendly and will be out for 2 days at which time he will be re-evaluated.


In more positive news Athletic Bilbao have signed 2 youth products.

CDM Juan Guerra
RM Ernesto Carazo

Both will go out on loan with their destinations unknown. They will train with the first team for the time being.

[KG]

Aug 17, 2013 - Athletic Bilbao vs Real Valladolid
TEAM	1	2	SCORE
Athletic Bilbao (0-0-0)	0	0	0
Real Valladolid (0-0-0)	0	0	0

Team Stats Comparison
Athletic Bilbao		Real Valladolid
0	Goals	0
5	Shots	17
2	Shots on Target	13
13	Tackles	27
1	Fouls	1
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
0	Injuries	0
40	Shot Accuracy	76
82	Passing Percentage	82

Athletic Bilbao made their debut under new manager Carlos Fuerte to mixed results. Valladolid is a side that many have picked for relegation to Liga 2 but given the excitement of the season and a boisterous crowd they put Athletic to the test generating an impressive 17 shots on goal including several in the opening 15 minutes. Once Bilbao settled they created several chances on goal, the best of which saw CAM De Marcos in on goal only to take too many touches squandering the chance. After both sides exchanged dominant stretches it was the home side Valladolid that nearly scored down the stretch hitting the post twice in the last 5 minutes.

"We were not at our best today but you don't want to peak too early. We're still adjusting to and trying to find the right combination. I'm confident we will improve." said the Bilbao manager.

Next Match: Home to Osasuna

[KG]

Matchday 2

Aug 24, 2013 - Athletic Bilbao vs CA Osasuna
TEAM	1	2	SCORE
Athletic Bilbao ()	0	0	0
CA Osasuna ()	1	0	1

Team Stats Comparison
Athletic Bilbao		CA Osasuna
1	Goals	0
4	Shots	3
3	Shots on Target	2
12	Tackles	29
0	Fouls	0
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
0	Injuries	0
75	Shot Accuracy	66
91	Passing Percentage	80

Goals '9 - Cejudo (OSA)

Once again the boys from Basque were unable to penetrate the goal losing to rivals Osasuna 0-1 in Carlos Fuerte's home debut. Things don't get any easier as a trip to the Bernabeau looms. Bilbao will need to right the ship fast or risk only getting 1 point from 9 to start the campaign.

[dodar]

Looking good! I've always been interested to see if someone would to Athletic Bilbao! Are you doing the rule that they can only sign Basque (mainly Spanish and some French) players?

[KG]

Quote: Originally Posted by dodar

Looking good! I've always been interested to see if someone would to Athletic Bilbao! Are you doing the rule that they can only sign Basque (mainly Spanish and some French) players?

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