HELLO!
By: Paul |
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Hello readers, my name is Paul and I am now the blogger for Athletic Club Bilbao here on theoffside. I have been a follower of Athletic for a little more than a year now and always enjoyed reading this site for some news and opinion in English, and when it went inactive I was disappointed. I saw the last post that the site was looking for a new blogger so, here I am!
Just to introduce myself: I live in Houston, Texas and am currently about to enter my senior year of college and plan on attending law school after that. Other than Athletic, my favorite teams are Tottenham Hotspur and Houston Dynamo. I hate Manchester United and Real Madrid. My favorite television program is House, favorite color is yellow, I suppose and….ah, who cares- enough about me! Read the rest of this entry »
Write for Athletic Bilbao Offside
By: Daryl | 1 Comment
We’re looking for a brave blogger to take over Athletic Bilbao Offside. It’s not a paid position, but if you’re an Athletic fan who wants to share your opinions with other Athletic fans then this could be for you.
Take a look at our writing guidlines here, and if you think you’ve got what it takes then send an email to daryl[at]theoffside[dot]com and let me know why you’d be brilliant.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsNothing to Lose
By: Elisa | 3 Comments
Athletic came back and earned a point against Mallorca. For the neutral a fabulous game with tons of goals, 3-3 was the final score. For the Athletic fan, a nail biter and an extremely frustrating game. 
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsBad Moon Rising
By: Elisa | 2 Comments
I just started a new job and it’s been crazy, but I’m back. Here’s a cartoon from Anton to demonstrate my sentiments on the latest run of games by Athletic.
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsAthletic v Barça Preview: A Meeting of the Minds Over Java
By: Elisa | 3 Comments
DAVID VS GOLIATH?
Two guys having a coffee break in a crowded café’… One of them support the Los Leones and the other is a fan of the Blaugrana.
Ramzi: “Hey Elisa How is it going in the Basque Camp? ”
Elisa: “Well, Athletic continues the fearsome foursome run. This time they face FC Barcelona at El Catedral, what used to be called the Fortress. Athletic has gotten off to a very slow start with only five points and two losses in their last two games., What about the Catalans? “
Ramzi: “Barcelona is on the way up! Did you see our come back against Espanyol? Betis? Shakhtar? Did you see how we smashed Atletico Madrid?! We are the best! Who is next? Athletic Bilbao? We will have ANOTHER SCORING CARNIVAL NO DOUBT! Hm… that’s the atmosphere in the Barca camp…and that’s exactly what makes me worried… the over confidence Virus is filling the air! The way you talk about athletic make it feel as if its time to pack the bags and prepare for a relegation battle? Already?!”
Elisa: “Well no, it’s still early days and if you recall last year, Athletic started off extremely slow, but went on a dynamite run after the Winter break, so now is not the time to panic. Yes the socios are upset, they expected Europe, a solid start (after a loooong pre-season) and the return of the Copa del Rey. They are all still possible, but the play on the pitch needs to improve, here and now. The team needs to play as a cohesive unit and when the going gets tough… you know the cliche.”
Ramzi: “ Yes I know, Elisa, May be that’s why I think Barcelona need to take this game seriously, No doubt Athletic can’t match the quality of the Catalan giant, not at the moment anyway, but what about Numancia? In brief this game must be taken seriously or else…The guys of the Basque are well known for their dedication and fighting spirit, they will not welcome Barcelona with chains of roses, Nah… This is not Hawaii! This is San Mamés, if you know what I mean… Barcelona will play against a team that has a point to prove after a bad start of the season, a team that may play a very defensive game and count on counter attacks, yea…Barcelona worst scenario”
Elisa: “Here’s our record at home against the Catalans:
2007-08 1-1
2006-07 1-3
2005-06 3-1
2004-05 1-1
2003-04 0-1
OK nothing stellar, but we do have a fighting chance of making it a game. Rumor has it that Pep may rest Messi, due to the long flight from Argentina and upcoming Champions League games, and apparently Xavi’s hurt, but ya never know. They have a solid team with an extremely deep bench and they are on fire.”
Ramzi: “Even though Barcelona usually does not enjoy a nice come back after international break, but it will not be the case this week. I have all the confidence that Barcelona can win this game, REALLY win it– another scoring carnival! But that will only happen if we saw another copy of that wild performance we enjoyed against Atletico, how do you think Athletic will play their cards?”
Elisa:”Well its Joaquin Caparrós’ 50th game with the team and he hasn’t come out with a squad yet, because well, it’s murky. The head honcho is unsure of his midfield. Javi Martinez looks like he is recuperating quite nicely and may be available for this weekend’s game. But sheesh, he was supposed to be out for three to four weeks due to a knee injury. Easy now, the kid is not superman! Joseba Exteberría, El Gallo, looks like he has recovered as well. But I would assume that both players will start on the bench and only brought in if needed.
So there are two rules of thought for the starting 11 - 4-5-1 or 4-4-2? Here we tinker again! Athletic has had a lot of problems with a holey defense, so a 4-5-1 could be the way to go. But the goal production has also proved an issue, so there is an argument to go with the old 4-4-2. Athletic needs to impose a very physical game, clog the midfield and pathways. If you allow Barça to play their fast passing game, well… game over. Frankly, I would be happy with a point or a low scoring loss, no more embarrassing 4 nil games puleeze.
Here’s the potential line up with 4-4-2: In Goal - Iraizoz, In Defense - Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Balenziaga. In Midfield - Gurpegi, Orbaiz, Yeste, David Lopez Upfront - Susaeta or Gabilondo and Fernando Llorente
For 4-5-1: In Goal and Defense no change, In midfield move Susaeta back on the right wing and play Llorente upfront as the lone striker.
There are other iterations, I can go on. Most probably Caparrós won’t make up his mind until match day. I feel that Athletic needs to go with experience especially upfront and in midfield. That’s why Ion Velez and Iturraspe are not listed above. Being a fiscally prudent club with a very strict Basque policy makes it very difficult for the club to be successful. The key is to play as a collective unit with a system or strategy that picks at the weaknesses of each opponent. I don’t think that we are there yet, but I see the potential. Let’s go at the Cules with some high balls and some very physical play. Still, I don’t think we have a chance in hell of winning the game. I just want a respectable result and an inspired battle, what about Barcelona?”
Ramzi: “Its easier to guess the lottery numbers Elisa, Pep is an unpredictable coach, specially for a game that introduce a champions league week, so don’t blame me if I became more confusing while trying to figure out the right selection, but let’s make an attempt to read how pep and co do the decision making and pick their starting eleven.
Ramzi moving the coffee cups aside and opening a roll of papers on the table, While Elisa move his eyes around the place ,I don’t know this guy, what the hell is he doing?!!
The typical, automatic, theoretical –put any other weird description you want – selection is:
Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Pique, Abidal – Busquets, Xavi, Hleb – Messi, Eto’o, and Iniesta.
In the perfect world this is the selection recommended, seal a result then make your substitutions getting Caceres in for Puyol to rest the captain for the Champions league game, or for Abidal to figure out how he can perform on the left, and then use Bojan to save Messi batteries for the following battles.
But some factors will shake that up, first, it may be too early for Hleb to start, the Iceland could have been the player who take Hleb role then, but again, Gudi is not ready - injured- and pep may give the priority for the players who had no international games to play, or came back earlier than the others, and based on that, he may pick Rafa Márquez, and Seydou Keita, as starters instead of Puyol/Abidal and Hleb.
Touré Yaya came back early too but has picked up a minor injury in the internal meniscus of his right knee. It is not yet known whether the injury is serious enough to cast any doubt on his presence in the game at San Mamés on Sunday – as mentioned on the Club official site… So if he is ready he may take Busquets place.
Tactically, if Bojan or Hleb started the game instead of Messi, we will have no tactical changes, the same 4-3 -3 with Bojan playing as a second striker beside Eto’o, Iniesta on the left and Alves running on the right flank.
What about my favorite selection? I will be more unpredictable than pep, and in the photo below is a sample of the Offense selection that may work for this game, keeping in mind that Messi played two internationals in South America and may be there is a risk of using him from the start.
As for the defense, when losing the ball Alves bounce back to do his role as right back, the trio Puyol, Pique and Marquez are appropriate for this game, they will form a solid back line but most importantly they will have their saying to cause threat through set pieces – corners – which may prove being the key to unlock Athletic defensive game. But if Pep wants the two fullbacks to go forward instead of having three central backs, then Abidal is a starter. Offensively, If Hleb is not completely fit, then Keita will be the guy for the mission, unless if Pep wanted an Ultra offensive game using Iniesta in the middle and Bojan as a third striker, even though knowing that Bilbao fans are well known for putting lot of pressure on the visitors, its better to start Bojan on the bench”
Elisa: “Oh and a last minute referee change. Mejuto Gonzalez got injured during the International play, so Undiano Mallenco will be the man. Don’t worry, even though he is a Basque ref, Athletic will still get no favors.”
Ramzi: “Good luck, Elisa, I think you will need it 
“
A big thank you to Ramzi from fcbtransfers.blogspot.com for sharing the duties and discussing our teams - cross blogs!
We Were Rubbish**
By: Elisa | 3 Comments
Despair, Despair, Despair, Athletic just started on the fearsome foursome run and looked frickin awful vs Sevilla. If something doesn’t happen and quick, it’s a relegation battle all over again. Yes it’s still early days, but if we couldn’t beat Malaga and Recreativo after a grueling pre-season, well, we may need a bloody miracle to survive. 
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsA Touch of Class~*
By: Elisa | 4 Comments
What Price Loyalty? In the days where footballers, agents, owners, and clubs are greedy bastards, a gem of a player wants to give thanks and honor his team for all that they have given to him. For the wonderful opportunity of playing football. Athletic’s long time captain, icon and idol, Joseba Exteberría, has agreed to play his last professional year for Athletic Bilbao for free. Can you believe it? 
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsHeartbreak at Home
By: Elisa | 2 Comments
Sometimes things just don’t go your way. Sometimes no matter how hard you try and push forward, sh*te happens. The game vs Getafe, was just like that. Athletic’s level of play, possession, ball control, tempo and passing game was very impressive. Los Leónes attacked decisively and were a joy to watch. 
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsStealing a Point
By: Elisa | Add Comments
Athletic played on Thursday at El Colombino against Recreativo Huelva. What can I say but a God awful display of football. Fortunately for us, Riesgo, the Goal Keeper for Recre, gifted us a goal late in the 2nd half. David Lopez with a scrappy finish. Yeste with the”assist”, 1-1 away. 
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Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsOn the Third Day….
By: Elisa | Add Comments
Yes, we finally won a match and this time at San Mames. Well it’s about time! And what the hell happened to this team? At last an awakening, some signs of life. I saw beautiful, fast paced movement on the wings and from our backs. I saw a team pushing up and attacking, every chance they got. I saw a team that was playing with the ball on the ground AND in the air. I saw Joga Bonito Athletic style and it was amazing. Now reality check, Athletic will go back to the bruising, hard as nails, premiership style football, that is their trademark. But our boys were feeling the pressure and raised their game for the home fans. All this with Yeste and Extebe on the bench.
I was incredibly impressed with our youngsters. Mikel Balenziaga, our new left back, created both of those goal scoring opportunities. He was my man of the match. The youngster’s crosses are amazing. Fernando LLorente finally got his groove on and opened this scoresheet for the Leones. Phew! Gurpegui and Javi Martinez were solid in the midfield and complemented each other well. David Lopez and Mikel Susaeta on the wings were class. I loved Susa’s Robinho-ish moves too. It was great to see everyone try to get in the act. Amorebieta had some nice attempts outside the box. Joseba Del Olmo’s inaugural game was very impressive as well. It’s ashame that Ion Velez’ goal was called offside. I thought the youngster scored. The only frustrating thing was that we had numerous attempts at goal and only two capitalized, plus we got a penalty that we had to do over. What’s new?
Yes, Valladolid had a very poor game, but their goal keeper Sergio Asenjo kept the score down. Classy player. I hope this is the beginning of a great run for Athletic and some solid play. Caparrós finally got it right. We’ve got 4 points now and Recre and Getafe this week. Gora Zurrigori!
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team News
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