Poor Start at San Mames: Athletic 1-3 Almeria
By: Elisa | September 1st, 2008The bad form on display towards the end of pre-season has continued into La Liga. Yes, it’s early days, but their are some serious problems in defense and now upfront in attack, that need to be addressed – asap. Losing your first game at home in San Mames to Almeria, is just an embarrassment. The sale of fan and team favorite, Aritz Aduriz, in the 11th hour, without a replacement, just makes no sense. Add to that, the fact that Fernando Amorebieta was injured during the warm up to the game, well, things have just gone all pear shaped. (Amore is going to be out for 10 days.) 
Prolific Basque strikers are hard to come by, while a good Left Back is hard to come by, regardless of background. Last season, the team started to believe in themselves again, dreams of Europe and the Copa Del Rey, but alas, they started off the season in the worse possible way. Let’s hope this is a wake up call.
I can go on and on about our defensive blunders, ineffective attack, Yeste’s penalty miss, and Caparros questionable decision to take off Susaeta later in the game, but I won’t. Thankfully, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
So let’s highlight some positive things:
1) The youngster Ion Velez came in after HT and scored right away and almost got a second!
2) Susa and Llorente both had decent games. We need more and the very best from these two.
3) When Pablo Orbaiz came in, the team improved vastly. Pablo started looking like the old Orbaiz, creative and inventive in midfield.
4) The icon, Ismael Urzaiz finally got to say good-bye to the fans and the club. Enjoy your retirement Isma! Well deserved. He was always one of my faves at the club.
5) Early Days, remember the tortoise and the hare?
MISCELLANY
In other news, Tiko has been loaned out to Eibar. Tiko needs first team football and their was no room for him in the team. Sorte Tiko.
The monies earned from the Aduriz sale to Mallorca, will go to La Real for the whole Zubi illegal transfer fiasco.
Andoni Iraola was called up, once again, to the Spanish NT to play against Bosina-Herzegovina and Armenia this week. Kudos Andoni!
Athletic has signed a Left Back from Erreala (La Real Sociedad) for nearly 1 million Euros. Mikel Balenziaga is 20 years old and has played for Spain’s NT in all youth levels. He is one of the best prospects from La Real’s youth team. He has been signed for 5 years with a 30M buyout clause. Young and inexperienced, but a position we most definitely need reinforced. Rumor has it that he will play against Malaga.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team News
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