Athletic Club: Season Preview 2014/15
Last season's campaign saw Athletic
Club qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the
1998/99 season. They will have to qualify via the play off draw after
finishing fourth, where they have been drawn against Rafa Benitez's
side Napoli. If they can get past Napoli it will be a fantastic start
to the season as they look to continue last season's good form into
the new campaign.
There was a whole lot of changes last
summer at Athletic Club. Ernesto Valverde was the man brought in to
replace Marcelo Bielsa. There was a lot of excitement surrounding
this news as Ernesto was a manager with a lot of experience managing
in La Liga and he was presented with the challenge to revitalise the
squad which was worn out under Bielsa. It was also the clubs first
season in their new stadium. The San Mames Barria wasn't ready for
the start of the season as Athletic had to start their campaign at
Rival's Real Sociedad's stadium The Anoeta. Athletic had a great home
campaign at the new San Mames, winning 13 of their home games
including their brilliant 1-0 win over FC Barcelona. Athletic's home
form was one of the biggest factors in them qualifying for the
champions league. They confirmed their spot in next year's
competition after beating Rayo 3-0 at the start of May.
They will have to begin the new season
without their star man Ander Herrea. The 25 year old midfielder
signed for Manchester United after the club payed his release clause.
The club won't have to look to far to replace Herrea as they will be
hoping Benat can step up to fill the role. They was a lot of stand
out performers for Bilbao last year. Aritz Aduriz finished as the top
goal scorer for the second year running after netting 16 goals last
season. Ibai Gomez and Aymeric Laporte both had excellent campaigns
and new signing Mikel Rico was a fan favourite with his energetic
approach to the game. Athletic have looked to bolster their forwards
options this year with the purchase of Borja Viguera from Deportivo
Alaves. The forward has similar traits to Aduriz and he netted 25
goals in the Liga Adelante last year.
It is going to be a difficult campaign
for Athletic this year. The addition of Champions League football (
if they get past Napoli) will prove a great challenge to the clubs
small squad. The competition for fourth this season is tougher then
ever with the investment that both Valencia and Sevilla have made.
Bilbao will be hoping that their current stars can produce the same
type of performances both in Europe and their domestic games and they
will also be looking at some of their younger players to step up and
break into the first team, including forward Guillermo and highly
rated midfielder Unai Lopez and with the stadium near full completion,
expect an even more incredible atmosphere on match day. A good
Champions League campaign would be brilliant for the club but it
could holster their progress in La Liga. Prediction: 5th.