Arquitecto wrote:Sigh....Time for another session of myth dispelling.

This stereotype of Bilbao and Basque being the englishman of the Liga is an absolute joke among the Liga historians. I'm surprised some aren't erudite on this.

The stereotype spurs from how Basque youth camps and teams are intensely rigorous and focused on developing the youth physical condition and physique (by their own special diets and training. So, since pretty much all of them are conditioned and strong athletes, its a cesspool for stereotype along with the provincial jokes that come with it.

So all this high intense pressing, symbiotic movement on and off the ball, quick, rapid rotation on the ball and intense movement forward and passing etc etc is ALL part of the original Basque philosophy and footballing methodology.


Don't believe me?

See Pentland and Caicedo's Bilbao of the 30s (or whats always been said of it).Uriquizu's orgasmic Bilbao of the 40s. Daucik's Bilbao of the mid 50s. Gainza's Bilbao of the mid 60s. See the Clemente Era, see the Fernandez era.

I don't even need to mention the teams of the 23 copa del reys of Bilbao.

Who else? See Otegui's famous Liga dominating Sociedad. See the best autonomous footballing team in Espana, a team that historically dominates even Catalunya.

All of these teams a near EXACT replica of Bielsa's team as only with its own individual minor tactical differences.

Doesn't anyone even wonder why every Basque player and in Bilbao is so so technically proficient and mentally strong? Hasn't anyone noticed this? All a product of the long worked philosophy and methodology of Pais Vasco

Best example was at OT of this
We all love Bielsa let's give credit where it's due as well.
Bielsa, a scholar of Basque football, sat somewhere in Argentina (probably munching on their delicious meats) wanted to revive Basque football and bring the way back onto the map. Urrutia felt the same way which brought the 2 of them to a meeting and both agreed mutually on this long term project.

He was brought in to successfully blend his meticulous tactics with the Basque way as so far, it has been a success.

Caparros, being the good manager and solid tactician he is, failed to do so as he brought the stereotype back with his english style of play. We all loved the guy but he was to safe and stubborn to complete the PRIME objective he was given.

lol and I knew someone had to bring up Olaskoaga as he was the catalyst for this stereotype with his tenacious play as he was an external in Basque philosophy as what Gattuso is to Italian.


Bielsa at the moment has fallen further in love with the province, its way and people and has repeated he is here for the long term. Only thing that bring him out is our stubborn press and fans. But we have grown accustomed to his eccentricities.

So Real and Barca fans can keep dreaming about Bielsa until then. Its quite hilarious actually.