A one-off game where Athletic fielded a reserve team for the most part:

Lafuente: Murillo, Koikili, Exteita, Amorebieta; Orbaiz, David Lopez, Muñoz, Ion Velez; Iñigo and Del Olmo

On the bench/Second Half transfers: Armando for Lafuente (46′), Agueros for Orbaiz (88′), Ariño , Toquero for Ion Velez (46′), Ramalho for Murillo (80′), Julen Goni for David Lopez (46′)

Good News:
* No red cards or expulsions!
* Cracking goal by Muñoz in the first half. GOLAZO! Ashame that he refused to celebrate and raised his fist at Caparros. Iñaki is not very happy that he has lost his place in the first team to Iturraspe and others.
* Orbaiz looked back to his old uninjured self in the first half
* David Lopez was very dangerous as well in the first half
* Canterano and central defender Xabi Exteita looked solid. He was very good in the air and quick. He is possibly our number three or four defender. Ashame he injured Ustaritz in training. Usta will now be out for a month.
* I like Joseba Del Olmo’s play and what he adds to the team. He likes to dribble, has great ball control, and dynamism. He tries to beat his man and reminds me of the phenom Markel Susaeta, which is fantastic.
* Did I mention we had a decent first half?
* Armando saved Los Leones from a rout in the 2nd half.

Bad News:
* Long haul a** day, flight complications, and delays. No direct flight. After a 16 hour hell day, the team finally gets to play vs Tenerife.
* Craptastic second half
* Lazy a**, piss poor defense in the 2nd half
* Long ball heaven in the 2nd half
* No midfield in the 2nd half
* Poor ball distribution, circulation, and ability to make any attacking play in 2nd half
* Schooled by second division, mid table Tenerife in 2nd half

Why the crappy display? Was it the long 16 hour day? Was it pure laziness? Or was it those constant long balls coming out from our defensive back line? Bottom line – the midfield went missing and we got thrashed. Thank goodness for Armando or it would have been 6 or 5 to 1. And whose fault is the coordination of a very long trip and day for our team? After the game the boys flew straight back home, cuz there’s another game on AUGUST 12TH. I blame Caparros. The players are NOT robots.

I am not going to go ballistic, as this is just a friendly, but I hope that our boys do not get burned out with this intense, grueling, pre-season schedule. I still have faith in Caparros and his crazy methods. It is just frustrating. I was finally able to watch the whole game online. (Thank you TV Canaria) And the team was just blah.

Boy that felt good, getting that off my chest! OK next game, close to home, Zarautz, Gipuzkoa, Paises Vasco vs Eibar. Starting over. Gora Athletic!

Was I expecting a 5 nil thrashing? Perhaps. Athletic had the majority of possession, especially in the first half. Caparros rested a lot of the A team and played 4-5-1 (Extebe, Yeste, Ocio, and Susa watched from the stadium. Javi Mar, Llorente, Casas, and Iraola came in as subs).

Team line up: Iraizoz; Murillo, Ustaritz, Amorebieta (46′ Casas), Koikili;
Iturraspe, Gurpegi, Del Olmo (92′ Iraola), David Lopez (90′ Javi Martínez), Gabilondo;
Aduriz (76′ Llorente);

El Zorro, Aritz Aduritz scored early after a nice combination between Gabilondo and young Iturraspe. This kid has been getting considerable time this pre-season and his distribution and passing has been quite impressive. But Athletic was taking the game in stride, and playing on the counter. Sort of taking it a little too easy.

Kudos to Colchester for taking it up a notch and taking the game to us. Ustaritz blocked a half volley by Yeates with his hand in the penalty area. Whoops! Talk about giving your opponent a gift. Vernon slotted in the penalty nicely. He faked out Gorka who went the wrong way. Even Stevens. Embarrassing.

In the second half, Colchester brought in new blood with five changes. Athletic only made one change Casas (at center back!!!) for Amorebieta who came off with a knock. Colchester on pure adrenalin looked sharper, more dangerous, and quite frankly ready for a rumble. I don’t know what their manager said in his half time talk but they boys came out to rattle and crunch Athletic. Colchester started kicking, bruising and clashing with our boys. The ref just turned the other eye, IMO. Murillo clashed with Coyne and then Izzet. Izzet only saw yellow, but it should have been red. Well Athletic are no boy scouts, Murillo lost his cool in the next clash and received a red in the 61st minute.

Athletic, now down to 10 men, had to watch their backs while doing whatever it takes to get another goal and not go home with their tail between their legs. New signing Joseba Del Olmo, who was having a great game, was fouled in the penalty area. Thank you ref, justice at last! David Lopez stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. Another preseason victory for Zurrigori!!

Was this the best of wins? Of course not. Am I concerned as red cards seem to be a trend in our preseason games? Not really, that’s how we play. I’m proud of our boys. They don’t back down and will do whatever it takes to win. We do need more goal production, but that will come.

Check out the match report from the Colchester point of view.

Up next… The Colombino Trophy in Huelva as Los Leones face Malaga and then Recreativo on August 6th and 7th.

LATEST NEWS

Pablo Orbaiz and Ion Velez have recuperated and will rejoin the team in Huelva for the Colombino tourney.

Several Peñas have decided to come out against the new sponsorship on Athletic shirts. Peña Leones Italianos are boycotting the shirt. Peña Catedral de Leon will offer kits without the sponsorship. Peña Corredor de Hernanes is also boycotting the sponsored shirt.

Athletic Bilbao Google Calendar : The dates, times and events will be updated as they are confirmed. This is a great resource, so be sure to set it as a favorite on your PC. Check it out.