Before I get into my rant, let’s review the latest friendly tournaments. Athletic returned to Huelva and played two games in the Colombino Tournament. The first game on August 6th was a cakewalk. Athletic with a decisive 3 points against new boys Malaga. Ongi Etorri (Welcome) Ion Velez – cantera player returns from his loan last year to Hercules and he scores a brace (very nice). He also provides an assist to Iraola. 3-1 no big deal and with only 10 men. (I’ll get back to that later). Caparros played the big guns (Susa, Etexbe, Gorka, Yeste, Ocio) for the most part against newly promoted Malaga, odd?

The very next day, August 7th, Athletic played for the trophy vs Recreativo Huelva, the home team. This is Huelva’s tournament and this is probably the best competition that Athletic has encountered this summer. To date, Athletic has played (9) friendlies.

Caparros brought out more of a B team vs Recre. OK???? Recre beat Athletic 2-1. Athletic’s first pre-season lost. Another penalty and another expulsion or red card.

What is going on? Too many penalties given and too many red cards! Four expulsions in the last four friendlies. FRIENDLIES! Houston we have a problem. What is going to happen to the team during the regular season? This cavalier, bully, attitude is going to lose points and hinder our abilities to succeed and get back into Europe. Caparros doesn’t think there is a problem. I hope he’s right, but this poor pattern needs to be nipped in the bud and fast! Our rivals will use this to their advantage. Piss off Athletic and they will go ballistic. Nice!

Let’s take a look at our culprits….

ARITZ ADURIZ – 27 year old striker with a bone head move vs Charlton. Sent off in the 87 minute. Why?

ANDER MURILLO – 24 year old defender/right back, hard man, who lost it against Colchester. A rush of blood to the head. Direct red card in the 61 minute. OK, he is fairly young but he has been playing with the first team since 2005!!

FERNANDO AMOREBIETA – 23 year old central defender, a class act. Our future and the future of Spain. It is sooooo frustrating that Fernan got sent off in the 40th minute vs Malaga. We schooled Malaga. Was this really necessary? I know we pride ourselves with having the most yellows, fouls, etc but NOT red cards.

AITOR OCIO – Our poster boy or hawyt dude and 31 year old central defender. If anyone should know better, it should be veteran Aitor. But once again he was sent off with two yellow cards vs Recre in the 92 minute for naught. Brilliant!

CAPARROS SPEAKS

And what of the Mister? Well, he hasn’t come out chastising the boys. In fact he has come out a bit defensive on the issue of 16 friendlies. This is the total number that Athletic will have played this preseason. The Spanish press decided to have a go at the Manager. Here’s his response:

“I’m in my element at this club,” enthused Caparrós.

“When I first came here I was asked if I’d be watching the ‘B’ team. It amazed me that it was even conceivable that the coach wouldn’t watch the reserves.

“We have also reached an agreement with a team in Iparralde, in the French Basque country, to incorporate interesting players in the future.

“We all work 24 hours a day. What I want is footballers with intensity. We don’t stop. We train, we do reports, we monitor the characteristics of each player, we watch matches of other teams. We’re above all!”

Well, I hope there is an endgame or method to his madness. There’s gotta be. I still believe in the gaffer and his methods. Bit why play the stronger team against Malaga rather than Recre? Oh well, life goes on. But I worry about injuries and I especially worry about the emotional strength of the players. What are we a bunch of hot heads? We have got to keep our cool.

IN OTHER NEWS

Zubi (Iban Zubiaurre) has had a helluva year with the whole Real Sociedad fiasco, courtroom drama, the guilty verdict and having to pay millions to La Real for his “illegal” transfer. (All dirty laundry from the past President Lamikiz era). Zubi needs time away from the spotlight to recoup and play football. Well we have found him a home. He is being loaned this season to Elche in Alicante, the second division team. Good luck Zubi.

THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLIES:

Sunday 8/10 – Teide Tournament vs Tenerife 9pm
8/12 Friendly vs Eibar @ Zarautz 6pm
8/14 Friendly vs Cadiz 10pm Ramon de Carranza Tourney
If they win they will play 8/16 for the Trophy

Possibly 4 games in one week. Hot damn!

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.