La Liga BBVA Thread

[Sir Calumn]

I dont normally dare venture into this thread, but can somebody explain to me why that beautiful, flowing Athletic Bilbao team which were a delight to witness over two legs against last years Champions League finalists are SEVENTH in the league right now? Do they just have no squad depth or something?

 

[Filipower]

Hmm, well, Sporting did beat City, too. I mean, I get your point in that Athletic are beautiful to watch, but they don't produce that every week, perhaps because they don't get to play United every week. The league is a whole different thing.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I guess so, teams can step up their game for the big opponents but can't get that rush week in week out.

But they do seem to really have the stars - Llorente, Munian, Iraola, Martinez etc - to an outsider it seems like they have more high quality players than the other teams around them in La Liga. Is that a false impression?

 

[Filipower]

No of course not, but I guess depth isn't too big, and Bielsa's style of play didn't kick in right away at the start of the season...

 

[Arnau]

I dont normally dare venture into this thread, but can somebody explain to me why that beautiful, flowing Athletic Bilbao team which were a delight to witness over two legs against last years Champions League finalists are SEVENTH in the league right now? Do they just have no squad depth or something?

Because la liga is too good, they are like 3 or 4 points from CL spots anyway

 

[Arnau]

 

[Filipower]

I love how the 4th and 5th teams already have a goal difference of 0, and the 6th -9

 

[Sevillista]

Villareal

 

[Jaboldinho]

Sad really. Wouldn't want the yellow submarine to dive any further.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I dont normally dare venture into this thread, but can somebody explain to me why that beautiful, flowing Athletic Bilbao team which were a delight to witness over two legs against last years Champions League finalists are SEVENTH in the league right now? Do they just have no squad depth or something?

The Premiership has the most money and the most media, so it gives the impression that it also has the best football. That is demonstrably untrue this season. Dominating United just isn't that big of an accomplishment really. Basel did it too.

 

[Sir Calumn]

The Premiership has the most money and the most media, so it gives the impression that it also has the best football. That is demonstrably untrue this season. Dominating United just isn't that big of an accomplishment really. Basel did it too.

I know you love to hate on the EPL, but keep in in perspective. United are last years Champions League finalists, dominating them is still commendable.

Basel are absolutely raping their domestic league, and came up against a cockily weak United side. Athletic are seventh (though admittedly by fewer points than I realized) and came up against the first team.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I don't love to hate the EPL, it's my favorite league.

 

[Arnau]

 

[ARIAGA II]

I'm glad Míchel's reputation is being restored at Sevilla.

 

[Arnau]

I used to like Michel's Getafe, but then they sold Soldado, León...

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Alright, I've decided that Athletic Bilbao will be my club in Spain. This is the first time I have become a fan for any club other than FC Bayern. My FM game with them just made me appreciate how awesome they are. I don't imagine I'll celebrate their achievements much for the next several years, but maybe in a decade I will feel a deep love for them.

 

[Back Door Skip]

Athletic are awesome. If I wasn't already vested in Barça I would root for them.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Messi vs. Ronaldo

The target: 50 league goals

The reward: Pichichi

Please let someone do it. That would be ******* amazing.

 

[Filipower]

Still not Ferenc Deák level, but it would be decent.

 

[Filipower]

By the way (and since there's no other place to discuss it and he is apparently going to Spain), Neymar is really confirming himself as serious business. He just hattricked the **** out of the derby.