As often happens it is a case of life taking over, but this is a happy occasion as I am travelling in Asia for 8-9 months. I’m mostly volunteering out there in remote villages (helping young kids learn English) so I’ll be unable to catch any games, but will try to keep up with the latest through the wonders of my magic 3G Kindle. I will really miss watching Athletic (and my beloved Chippenham Town!) but it is something I really want to do and should be a great experience. Ultimately there is more to life than football.

I joined the blog 18 months ago and it has been an exciting time for the club. There have been two cup finals (though sadly both lost) and historic results against some of the biggest teams in Europe. Bielsa’s arrival in particular has been a revelation for the club and if we can keep the squad together I truly believe this can be one of the best sides in the club’s history.

I’d like to thank Paul for not only asking me to join the blog and being a great co-writer but for his good work on the blog even before I joined. We are one of only a few active La Liga blogs on theoffside (and with Barcelona the only other regularly updated one) and I believe this is in no small part down to Paul.

I want to thank too both ForzaFutbol and InsideLaLiga, for asking me to do a guest podcast appearance and article respectively, and of course the people who have read and commented these posts. I also appreciate those who have interacted with us on twitter – the @AthleticOffside account has almost evolved into a separate outlet delivering the latest news and gossip as well as live match updates. With over 1,000 followers I think I can say with justification it is one of the main English accounts on twitter for the club and this is down to our followers.

I think Paul has been a bit tied down the past few weeks with Navy work, so in my absence updates may initially be sporadic. However with one or two new bloggers joining the team soon and other changes I can’t tell you about, the blog should be back and improved in time for the new season. When I started reading (and then writing) the blog it was the only English one about the club. While there is now a couple more (which I welcome) I believe there is big potential in an English language blog for one of the biggest clubs in Spanish football. It should prove to be an exciting future not only for the team but for the blog too.

When I do return I may no longer be a blogger here but will still read with interest and of course will always be an Athletizale.

Aupa Athletic!

The Basque forward appears to be close to signing from Valencia but I’m not convinced he’s the player we need.

It is clear our attack needs strengthening. Whenever Llorente is absent or off form we struggle to score. He is the focal point of the team and we have few other attacking options. While Toquero works his socks off he offers little goalscoring threat and isn’t really suited to the lone striker role.

It is also true that Aduriz is a good player and a goalscorer. Even at 31 he’s still in his prime and played 43 games for Valencia this season (though most from the bench) scoring 9 times. In fact, it was the first season in four years his league tally was in single figures. His departure from San Mamés was a mistake (and at only €4m bad business) and we missed his goals. But I’m still not sure he’d be a good signing.

In his last spell at the club he was mainly partner to Llorente – under Bielsa though the team only plays one forward. Assuming Llorente stays (I think he will but until he signs his renewal it is a worry) he is that lone striker. So Aduriz would either have to play on the wings – which isn’t his position – or settle for a place on the bench. I do feel he would do well as an impact sub but less sure he can play as a lone striker. Also, when in need of a goal or two taking Llorente off is hardly a brilliant idea, though maybe with the option of Aduriz, Bielsa could switch to two strikers as a plan B?

As I say though we do need backup for Llorente. He misses few games but when he does his absence is felt. Our self enforced policy restricts our options and there simply isn’t many top level Basque strikers out there currently, which is why it’s hard to turn down someone like Aduriz when he becomes available. But I believe we should be going after someone else.

Toquero was plucked from nowhere and did a job for us and so I think could a striker from the second division – Urko Vera.

You may recall he was with us before, albeit briefly. Last January Caparrós signed him from third division Lemona and though he mainly featured for the B team, he made five substitute appearances for the first team scoring once – a late equaliser against Getafe. When Bielsa took charge though he was not in the Argentine’s plans and was sold to relegated Hércules. In the Segunda he’s scored 12 goals as his side hope to make a swift return to La Liga.

At 6′3″ he is a more direct replacement for Llorente. When at the club under Caparrós he was too similar to Llorente to play with the Spanish international but I believe he would be a great backup. He would also accept being on the bench most games, at 25 fits in with the current youthful and energetic squad (though I do think Aduriz’s experience would be useful) and as shown this season has an eye for goal.

Any signing in the forward department is a positive one though and Aduriz’s return will be a popular one, but I’m still unsure he’s the right player for us.

Accepting that getting tickets for the Spanish cup final would be near impossible, I went for the next best thing.

Before leaving for Bilbao one of my Basque friends (who I met in Manchester) tried to get me a ticket to watch the game on the screens in San Mamés. However, despite the stadium holding 40,000, they quickly sold out. He assured me though that there were going to be several screens across the city and of course plenty of bars showing the game.

Whether I saw the game on a big screen or in a bar, just to be in the city around hundreds of Athletizales and experience the atmosphere would be great. There was also the prospect if Athletic could end their 28 year trophy drought of the Gabarra - the cup being paraded on a barge on the city’s river.

With the game at 10pm I spent the day wandering across the city. The club museum was closed due to the screens being installed but stalls were already being set up outside the stadium. Walking round the city I could see Bilbao was ready for the final. Most shops seemed to have either a red and white flag or a window display and many people (including those at work) were wearing Athletic shirts.

After a few hours chilling at the hostel (it was a hot day) I left just after 8pm. With over an hour and a half before the game lots of fans were already around the city and the atmosphere was building. If you’ve ever seen a game at San Mamés it was like matchday but times ten. It seemed the whole city would be watching the match either on a big screen, in a bar or at home.

I had originally planned to see the game in Plaza Nuevo in the Casco Viejo, but upon crossing the river on the way to the old town I saw to my left a screen erected near the stage at Arenal and headed there. There was still over an hour to go but it was already busy and starting to fill up as fans gathered with their bottles of kalimotxo. A band was playing music on the stage by the screen and fans were having their faces painted red and white. Soon it turned to dusk and the game was finally upon us.

As you all know our cup dream ended very quickly. Straight from the start Barça attacked our goal and nearly scored within thirty seconds. They didn’t relent and a couple minutes later had their goal. They had clearly learnt from Atlético Madrid and our cup final defeat two weeks ago.

However where Atléti sat back on their lead, Barça went for more and 20 minutes and two goals later the game was all but over. Some fans left but most remained. The team performance improved and with a very valid penalty shout and Ibai’s second half one-on-one chance it could have been 2-3 with 40 minutes to go, but it wasn’t to be. All but the very optimistic of rojiblancos could see a comeback wasn’t going to happen and when Llorente was withdrawn the defeat was confirmed.

Fans left disappointed but not angry and in truth had likely half-expected the defeat. There was going to be no Gabarra and the long wait for silverware would go on. However, the fans’ crazied passion for the club remained and the Basque chant/saying Beti Zurekin is as true as ever – always with you.

Friday 25th May 2012 20:00 local time.

Athletic once again look to end their long trophy drought, this time in a repeat of the final three years ago.

We all remember what happened last time. Despite an early Toquero goal Barcelona fought back to win 4-1 and clinch their 25th Copa in Guardiola’s impressive debut season.

But things are very different now. Barça claimed the treble that year which signalled the start of a highly successful era; this season they’ve missed out on both the Liga and Champions League and the Pep’s time is coming to a end.

Athletic too have changed since then. While our league position is roughly the same as three seasons ago (sacrificed both times for cup runs) expectations are higher. Whereas back then a cup final appearance was unexpected (it was the first in 24 years) this time round it is our second in two weeks and I even predicted we could make it all the way at the start. Bielsa has transformed the team and we have our best chance in a long time of finally winning silverware again.

It wont be easy though as of course Barcelona are still a great team. Also a wounded Barça, one desperate not to end the season trophyless and one wanting to end Pep’s reign on a high will make it even more difficult. But we can win.

As we all know under Bielsa there have been some big performances. Manchester United, Schalke, Sporting CP and PSG all fell in Europe and in the league we arguably gave Barça their toughest game. I believe if we play to our absolute best the trophy is ours.

But there are some doubts. While the team will benefit from the two week rest, you fear all those games this season will have caught up with them. Also the occasion seemed too much in Bucharest and while the performance improved in the second half by then it was too late.

Tactically though it could prove an easier match than against Atléti. As soon as they scored they sat back and waited to hit us on the counter, but Barça will be more adventurous. Both sides will attack and we should see an open and high scoring game.

Team news

Barça are missing a few key players with both Carles Puyol and Dani Alves out and David Villa a major doubt. Also of course, they’ll be without Eric Abidal who has retired this week due to his ongoing cancer treatment. The lack of defenders will be an issue and may see Pep play Mascherano and Busquets there and/or use a three man defence.

Pinto has been Barça’s keeper throughout the competition and Thiago Alcántara and Isaac Cuenca started both semi-final legs but it is otherwise expected to be their strongest available lineup.

Bielsa has no suspensions/injuries and will no doubt name the usual side.

Players called: Iraizoz, Toquero, Aurtenetxe, Amorebieta, San José, David López, Iturraspe, Llorente, De Marcos, Gabilondo, Koikili, Raúl, Susaeta, Iraola, Zubiaurre, Iñigo Pérez, Gurpegi, Muniain, Aitor Ocio, Ander Herrera, Castillo, Ekiza, Javi Martínez, Igor Martínez, Ibai Gómez y Ruiz de Galarreta.

Possible lineup:

Gorka

Iraola – Javi Martínez – Amorebieta – Aurtenetxe

Iturraspe

Susaeta – Ander – De Marcos – Muniain

Llorente

If you’re looking for omens they are in Athletic’s favour. Our last cup triumph was not only against Barcelona but also in the city of Madrid – furthermore our last seven Copas triumphs have been in Madrid.

Athletic finish 10th.

With league form sacrificed for the two cup runs, our final position wasn’t going to matter much this season but the defeat is still disappointing. Since that memorable night against Sporting we’ve failed to win or even score and only avoided defeat once in five games.

Athletic started today’s game at Levante okay, a close and quite open first half saw both sides created chances but neither truly tested the opposition keepers. Just before half-time though Gorka made a rash decision to come out and was lobbed by Abdelkader Ghezzal.

Other results were still in Athletic’s favour though and comeback would seal 6th place. Bielsa threw on Llorente and Javi Martínez and half-time, who were both rested from the start, but little changed.

The hosts missed a great chance to double their lead but soon got their second midway through the second half. Ghezzal again got himself on the scoresheet after some slack defending let Barkero pick out the forward.

The victory – and Levante’s unlikely place in Europe – was confirmed in the dying moments. Amorebieta handled in the box and former Champions League finalist Javier Farinós tucked in the penalty.

This performance, and our recent form, is hardly ideal preparation for the Copa del Rey final in two weeks time but that is a one-off match and will be decided by what happens on the day. Qualifying through the cup as opposed to the league means starting in an earlier round, but if we are hoping for another cup run it shouldn’t be something we are scared of. (Plus, it didn’t do Atléti much harm…)

Meanwhile in La Liga, late goals against Villarreal and for Rayo saw the Yellow Submarine relegated. Clemente’s Sporting also went down with Zaragoza (who seemingly looked doomed a month ago) completing an incredible escape. Another ex-boss, Jokin Caparros, saw his Mallorca side miss out on a European place after a 4-1 defeat in the Bernabeu.

Sunday 13th May 2012 20:00 local time

After the disappointment in Bucharest, the Lions play their final league game of the season.

Obviously with reaching two cup finals but not consistently taking that form into the league, La Liga has fallen down in the list of priorities for Athletic this season. We qualified for Europe in February (by reaching the Copa del Rey final) and fell behind in the top 4 chase, so recent league encounters have been for pride only.

Our opponents however can still complete the most unlikely of seasons. With one of the smallest budgets in the division and widely tipped for relegation, they stunned Spanish football by topping the table early on in the season. The usual suspects (i.e. Madrid and Barcelona) soon reclaimed the top 2 but Levante held their form.

A place in the top 6 would surely only be temporary the experts kept insisting… however Levante are still up there, even if their form has dipped in the past month or so. A quite incredible Champions League place is still possible, though unlikely, but with an Europa League more achievable the Valencian side will be wanting all three points.

Athletic could get as high as 6th with a win but a loss could see them drop as low as 12th. Irrelevant of other results a win will move Athletic above Levante due to the head-to-head records.

The players will still be tired and mentally drained after midweek and normal circumstances would likely see a much changed team for this fixture. However with a two week break until the Cup final Bielsa may decide to play the first team to keep them fresh. It would also boost confidence and morale to come into that game off the back of a victory.

Possible lineup:

Gorka

Iraola – Javi Martínez – Ekiza – Aurtenetxe

Iturraspe

Susaeta – Muniain – De Marcos – Ibai

Llorente

In other news, ex-boss Joaquin Caparrós takes his Mallorca side to the Bernabeu with a chance of clinching an European place. He has guided his team to five league wins in the past six games (with the only defeat coming at San Mamés ), and another against the already crowned Champions would confirm a place in the top six. Good luck Jokin!

Athletic’s dream ends in tears.

Falcao scored in the final last season and did so again as Atléti claimed their second Europa League in three years.

Athletic struggled to get in the game early on and within 7 minutes were behind. Falcao was given too much space and struck a wonderfully hit finish into the top left corner.

It was a nightmare start and thing’s didn’t improve quickly. Passes were frequently misplaced and it seemed the occasion was too big for the young Lions.

Slowly though Athletic found a way back and on 20 minutes Llorente shot just wide. He appeared to scuff the volley and a clean hit may well have seen the ball in the net.

Athletic then managed to have some spells of possession but came up against a solid red and white wall which posed a big danger on the counter. Muniain forced a save from Courtois and De Marcos had a penalty shout after being sandwiched, but it was Atléti who got the second.

Falcao again, this time with a lovely dragback that takes two defenders out before a simple finish. 2-0 and a long way back for our Lions.

At the break Bielsa made two changes with Ibai and Iñigo Perez coming on for Aurtenetxe and Iturraspe. It nearly signalled an instant reply as Muniain forced a clearance which could have been an own goal.

Athletic attacked more and more but faced with a well disciplined defence found it difficult. Passes were still being misplaced and as ideas ran out became increasingly longer.

Toquero replaced Ander on the hour mark as the final throw of the dice and while chances were created their were either blocked by a red and white shirt or spurned.

As the game wore on it felt like it wasn’t going to be our night and this was confirmed with five minutes to go. The ball found Diego on the counter who’s goal sealed both the game and trophy for Atléti. The final whistle signalled tears of sadness from players and fans alike as the club’s long silverware drought continued.

3-0 was possibly an harsh scoreline but Athletic weren’t good enough. It was a poor performance and while against Schalke and Sporting we got away with a slack first half Atléti punished us. The second half got better but the passing and finishing still wasn’t up to scratch.

Atlético deserve credit though. Their defence and tactics were spot on and up front Falcao was excellent. Simeone has transformed the side and look genuine long term top 4 contenders. We were beaten by a better team.

It is also a sad coincidence that we visit the Calderón in two weeks time and will see the European trophy we came so close yet ultimately so far away from today claiming as our own.

Tomorrow, Athletic will contest the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid- it will be a chance for Los Leones to win a trophy for the first time since before I was born.

Athletic last reached this same stage in 1977, losing away to Juventus 1-0 before returning to San Mames and winning 2-1. Of course, the away goals rule prevented Athletic from winning the (then) UEFA Cup. On the other hand, Atletico won the “inaugural” Europa League in 2010.

And so it all comes down to this. Athletic played to an unspectacular goalless draw against Getafe this past weekend, fielding a squad consisting almost entirely of bench players, likely to keep the starters fresh for the final. The squad performed superbly in the Europa League thus far (Jack has already recounted the road to the final in the previous two posts), and Athletic will feel hard done if defeating the likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Schalke ends up amounting to nothing.

Athletic have already proven their worth against Atletico this season, but faltered when playing against them in Madrid. Llorente scored a brace in the first match, with Falcao equaling that in the second match; both teams will be looking to their star strikers to provide and this is indeed a match that promises some great attacking football.

The squad is all available for the final, save Amorebieta who will be a game-time decision due to a calf problem. Athletic will wear their green kit with embroidery for the final (I need to buy one of these).

Athletic Call-Ups: Iraizoz, Toquero, Aurtenetxe, Amorebieta, San José, Iturraspe, Llorente, De Marcos, Gabilondo, Raúl, Susaeta, Iraola, Iñigo Pérez, Muniain, Ander Herrera, Ekiza, Javi Martínez, Ibai

Probable XI:

Gorka

Iraola – Javi Martinez – Amorebieta – Aurtenetxe

Iturraspe

Susaeta – Ander – Muniain

Llorente

I wish I had something more profound to say…but I’m too damned excited!

In part one yesterday we recalled how Athletic got to the knockout stages of this season’s Europa League. Here’s what happened next.

In the draw we were paired with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and then a possible glamour tie against Manchester United in the next round.

1st Knockout Round

Lokomotiv were a bit of an unknown quantity and like other Eastern European sides not to be underestimated. The conditions in Russia were also a challenge and though Athletic took the lead Lokomotiv fought back to win 2-1. But with an away goal and home advantage in the 2nd leg Athletic were still favourites to progress.

Athletic needed to score in San Mamés but found it tough against a Lokomotiv side intent on holding their aggregate lead. Amorebieta’s red on the hour mark seemed to deal a big blow to the Lions’ European hopes, but Muniain scored quickly after the dismissal. Lokomotiv’s gameplan changed as they searched for a goal but the ten men hung on for a dream tie against Manchester United.

2nd Knockout Round

The game against the previous season’s Champions League finalists was the club’s biggest for years and thousands of Athletizales converged on Manchester. The English club had made hard work of their tie against Ajax and the feeling was that another disinterested showing could see Athletic through. However noone saw what was to happen next.

Bielsa’s side played in Old Trafford with confidence and swagger and despite falling behind to their (full-strength) opponents drew level just before half-time. They then rallied on in the second half and proceeded to outplay a supposedly superior side. Two late goals seemed to seal the tie but an injury time Rooney penalty gave the English Champions a lifeline.

Though outplaying Man United so comprehensively at their own ground was an incredible achievement, arguably the performance at San Mamés was even better. Midway through the first half Llorente took the lead and from then progression was never in doubt. United looked lost at times and when De Marcos doubled the lead it looked merely a question of how many. However as in the first leg De Gea kept the score down and a brilliant Rooney strike gave his side a consolation.

Quarter-finals

Schalke awaited in the 1/4 finals and again an away trip in the 1st leg. This one was much tougher than in Manchester as the German side dominated from the start.

A Llorente goal against the run of play gave Athletic the lead but it was short lived with Raúl equalising a minute later. The former Real Madrid star put his side in the lead after an hour but the Lions defended bravely and had a stunning final 20 minutes which turned the tie on its head. Llorente scored again to level the game, then De Marcos struck and in injury time Muniain clinched a fourth to all but knock the home side out. Schalke may have had reason to feel hard done by but it was another historic European result.

In the home leg the visitors twice took the lead but never looked like getting the three goal victory they needed. Athletic’s run was gaining momentum and only Portuguese side Sporting CP stood between them and the final.

Semi-finals

Sporting were not as illustrious as the previous two opponents but if anything it was a trickier tie.

As in Germany Athletic started slowly but while they took the lead soon after half-time, they looked a shadow of the side that played so brilliantly in the previous rounds. Amorebieta missed a chance to make it 2-0 by hitting the post and Sporting scored twice in four late minutes to take a 2-1 lead to Bilbao. The away goal gave hope but it wouldn’t be easy.

At San Mamés Athletic needed a 1-0 win, as was the case against Lokomotiv, or if they conceded, a two goal victory.

Susaeta scored early on to put the Lions ahead on away goals. Van Wolfswinkel got Sporting their own away goal late in the first half but Ibai soon restored Athletic’s lead on the night and made it all level on aggregate.

The second half saw Athletic go after the goal though conscious that one at the other end would effectively be worth two. But they were not scared and took the initiative to Sporting who increasingly went on the back foot. As the half wore on it seemed that extra-time was imminent before El León Rey Llorente struck. It was too late for Sporting to reply and when the whistle confirmed the club’s place in the final, the striker (who is a world champion remember) broke down in tears.

The club’s incredible run continued as they reached their first European final for 35 years and only the second in the club’s history. The memorable performances made Europe take notice and we’ve gained the hearts of many neutrals. But it isn’t over yet. This side can make history and become the first team in a generation to lift silverware for the club. Fellow Primera side Atlético Madrid stand in our way and will pose a big test, but after the run we’ve had so far it would take a brave man to bet against us.

As Athletic prepare for their first European final in 35 years it seems a long time ago that they started the run to the final.

European Qualification

Last season was the club’s best league performance for seven years as the team finished in the top 6 and secured European football. A win at Racing on the final day confirmed 6th place ahead of Atlético Madrid who had to enter the Europa League in the earlier round (I wonder how they got on…).

Qualifying Round

In the play-off round Athletic were drawn with Turkish side Trabzonspor with the first leg at San Mamés. Despite an early dismissal for the visitors it was to prove a frustrating night as the Turkish side sat back and defended. The Lions created many chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough and it ended 0-0.

Though they hadn’t conceded an away goal the second leg looked far from easy and it was a relief when Athletic went through without having to kick a ball. Fenerbache were kicked out of the Champions League due to the Turkish match fixing scandal and Trabzonspor took their place – putting Athletic straight through to the group stages. The Turkish side re-appeared in the Europa League after finishing 3rd in the Champions League group stage, but went out to PSV Eindhoven.

Group Stage

In the draw for the group stages Athletic were paired with Paris Saint-Germain, Red Bull Salzburg and Slovan Bratislava. The mega-rich French side were expected to top the group, but Athletic still had reasonable expectations to progress from the group.

The first game saw a win in Bratislava and the first under Bielsa. Next up the Parisians came to San Mamés but the Lions gave an excellent performance to win 2-0 in what proved to be a turning point in the season. We’d been struggling the league up to then as the side got to grips with Bielsa’s methods, but after this result and the derby win three days later the wins soon followed.

Matchday 3 proved to be less straightforward however. Up against a stubborn Salzburg defence Athletic were frustrated in attack and conceded twice on the counter. The Lions attacked and attacked in the second half and through two debatable penalties salvaged a draw. PSG’s draw with Slovan in the other game though meant the rojiblancos were still in pole position to progress.

The draw proved to only be a minor setback and qualification from the group was confirmed with a 1-0 win in Austria. Victory against Slovan at San Mamés sealed top spot (and in theory a more favourable draw in the knockout round) and in the final game a much changed side fell to defeat in Paris .

The team had advanced to the knockout stages with relative ease but in recent European campaigns it had all fallen apart in the knockout rounds, would this season be any different?