Athletic v Valladolid – Game On!

By: Elisa | September 20th, 2008

Athletic prepare for their 2nd home game of the season. This time we need to get all 3 points, regardless. The next few games are critical because then we go on the “big team” run and play Sevilla, Barça, Madrid, Villarreal, etc. in October. Don’t you just love the schedule?

Joaquin Caparrós has made some tactical decisions. Koikili and Casas will no longer play at Left Back. Young newcomer Mikel Balenziaga, 20 year old from Erreala, La Real Sociedad, will most likely get another start. Looks like Caparrós aka Michael Keaton, has been listening to rival Mendilibar’s pre-game press talks. Mendi doesn’t understand why Casas, a player who has been out of action for a season, has been played in the first team at Left Back. Ya know Mendi, ya got a point. He also is quite perplexed by the whole Aduriz last minute sale. Join the club.

So much for the mind games, it’s game on and time to rebuild fortress, El Catedral. Real Valladolid has gotten off to a great start and is not to be taken lightly. (They trashed us handily during pre-season, to boot.) Vivar Dorado, Luis Prieto (ex-Athletic), Escudero and company attack and play as a strong cohesive unit. So Athletic needs to concentrate fully on the task at hand and play a solid defensive game. The goals will come.

Athletic is definitely feeling the pressure from the press and fans, with closed practice sessions this week and such. So much promise this year. Yes it’s early, but the expectations are still extremely high in Bilbo.

In other news, Fernando Amorebieta and Javi Martinez have both received contract extensions. Amore has been renewed thru 2013 with a $50M Euro buyout clause. Javi Mar has been renewed until 2014 with a $36M Euro buyout clause. All in all, some good business for our young star players. Markel Susaeta is the next in line for an extension. President Macua has stated that he wants to see how the ex-youth player fares this year (his second in the first team), before he renews the quality midfielder.

The average age of Athletic players who participated in last week’s draw vs Malaga was 23.9 years. Very positive, but Caparrós needs to get this team to gel and play as an agressive force.

File this under strange news of the week, some anonymous Athletic supporters posted banners at Mallorca’s training pitch, aimed at Aduriz, of course. “President Macua is responsible from your exit from the club.” ” Always a Lion” (Beti Leioaik) “Best of Luck at Mallorca” were displayed on the banners. Mallorca faithful believe that the Athletic fans are trying to destabilize Aritz. No, I don’t think so. The fans are still quite upset by the transfer of one of their very own, that’s all.

Honestly, we need to put all this behind us and start winning and grinding out the results. Beti Athletic!