Athletic Bilbao v Real Mallorca

by Arquitecto Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:41 pm

With all this El Classico guf and a useless Valencian derby going on the other side, I decided to preview Bilbao's CDR fixture for those Euskadi fanatics.

Bilbao Last 5 games

Jan 15, 2012 Athletic Bilbao 3 - Levante 0 LIGA
Jan 12, 2012 Athletic Bilbao 4 - Albacete 0 ESPC
Jan 8, 2012 Getafe 0 - Athletic Bilbao 0 LIGA
Jan 3, 2012 Albacete 0 - Athletic Bilbao 0 ESPC
Dec 21, 2011 Athletic Bilbao 1 - Real Oviedo 0 ESPC

Mallorca Last 5 Games:

Jan 14, 2012 Mallorca 1 - Real Madrid CF 2 LIGA
Jan 10, 2012 Mallorca 6 - Real Sociedad 1 ESPC
Jan 7, 2012 Levante 0 - Mallorca 0 LIGA
Jan 4, 2012 Real Sociedad 2 - Mallorca 0 ESPC
Dec 20, 2011 Sporting de Gijon 0 - Mallorca 2 ESPC

As head scratching as Bielsa's decisions are on field he has done fairly well in a project that has convinced us Basque's that this is a long term project and the Los Leonnes fans are patient and optimistic.

Here is how I would line-up

Iriazoz

Iraola-San Jose-Amorbieta-Koikili

Javi-Gurpegui

Gabilondo/Susaeta-Ander-Munian (SS Role)

El Rey Leon Llorente

Subs: Toquero, Iturraspe, De Marcos

By FAR the best CDR clash today.

Keep in mind Bilbao have won this cup 23 times! That 2 less than Barca and 5 more than Madrid. Also being runners up 14 times.

GORA EUSKADI!!!!

by BarrileteCosmico Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:45 pm

The winner of this match will probably face off Espanyol in the semis. IF Bilbao win, I can see them getting to the final. Go Bielsa! banana

by Swanhends Wed Jan 18, 2012 2:46 pm

Vamos Bilbao!!! banana

by Doc Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:40 pm

Team Mallorca here. Not because of how they played against Real or their really enjoyable victory over La Real, none of that nonsense. I just want Caparros to get one over Athletic...

by EarlyPrototype Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:40 pm

We are probably not gonna win so GO BILBAO!

by Arquitecto Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:50 pm

Doc wrote:Team Mallorca here. Not because of how they played against Real or their really enjoyable victory over La Real, none of that nonsense. I just want Caparros to get one over Athletic...

One over Athletico due to his sacking I presume?

Personally, I never agreed with it either as Caparros was a good and solid manager who knew what he was doing.

The thing is the Basque media and fans are quite impatient and stubborn but the sacking (harsh term) was an order that came from Macua and not the general public as they still were generally faithful and happy with him despite his inconsistencies.

And you can't forget that Bilbao saw the large window of opportunity that came in the package of Bielsa as I couldn't really argue against it despite it being harsh against the revered Caparros.

Nonetheless I wish him the best in Mallorca as hopefully he'll do better than Laudrup.

OT: Good to see the Euskadi support here cheers

by Zealous Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:53 pm

Caparros trolling Athletic in the competition they love the most would be a great story lol

I hope Bilbao win though. They take the cup seriously and I respect that.

by Doc Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:55 pm

Arquitecto wrote:One over Athletico due to his sacking I presume?

Personally, I never agreed with it either as Caparros was a good and solid manager who knew what he was doing.

The thing is the Basque media and fans are quite impatient and stubborn but the sacking (harsh term) was an order that came from Macua and not the general public as they still were generally faithful and happy with him despite his inconsistencies.

And you can't forget that Bilbao saw the large window of opportunity that came in the package of Bielsa as I couldn't really argue against it despite it being harsh against the revered Caparros.

Nonetheless I wish him the best in Mallorca as hopefully he'll do better than Laudrup.

OT: Good to see the Euskadi support here

Oh Arq, nothing gets pass you I see. Yes, my statement was entirely based on how Athletic fired Caparros. I know the fans in general were always behind him but it still didn't change the fact Macau and Athletic shafted the man. He did pretty good last season and it simply wasn't right. Both parties have moved on nicely, particularly Athletic but I like a good old revenge tale to keep my day going.

Of course, I don't think Caparros habours any of those feelings. From what I read about him, he loves Athletic dearly...

by Arquitecto Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:00 pm

Doc wrote:
Arquitecto wrote:One over Athletico due to his sacking I presume?

Personally, I never agreed with it either as Caparros was a good and solid manager who knew what he was doing.

The thing is the Basque media and fans are quite impatient and stubborn but the sacking (harsh term) was an order that came from Macua and not the general public as they still were generally faithful and happy with him despite his inconsistencies.

And you can't forget that Bilbao saw the large window of opportunity that came in the package of Bielsa as I couldn't really argue against it despite it being harsh against the revered Caparros.

Nonetheless I wish him the best in Mallorca as hopefully he'll do better than Laudrup.

OT: Good to see the Euskadi support here

Oh Arq, nothing gets pass you I see. Yes, my statement was entirely based on how Athletic fired Caparros. I know the fans in general were always behind him but it still didn't change the fact Macau and Athletic shafted the man. He did pretty good last season and it simply wasn't right. Both parties have moved on nicely, particularly Athletic but I like a good old revenge tale to keep my day going.

Of course, I don't think Caparros habours any of those feelings. From what I read about him, he loves Athletic dearly...

Spot on points. Well said.

And I reiterate once again how harsh and somewhat unfortunate it was for him to be let go in such short notice.

And as you mentioned, he is in fact very much a rojiblanco. Pure class.