Getxo! Welcome to our last episode for the season with Barakaldo
Game 36
Numancia 0 – Barakaldo 4
A fantastic display in Numancia’s territory. We lead early as Roberto Martinez and Xabier give us a 2-0 lead with just 10 minutes on the clock. 20 minutes later, Roberto Martinez scores after a corner kick taken by Ipiña. Every time we go forward it looks like we are going to score, even though we just lead 3-0 at half time. Gijon start the second half well and they enjoy a brief period of boldness in which they attempt a couple of shots on our goal. Nevertheless, Uribarrena crushed any hopes when he scores the 4th goal in Los Pajaritos, and they immediately retreat to defensive schemes until the clock runs out.
Game 37
Barakaldo 1 – Osasuna 1
We throw away 2 points in this affair though I find a bright spark in the game as Roberto scores again and seems to be making the most of this new opportunity I gave him. The first half didn’t see much action aside from the goals from each team, and in the second we limited their advances through Dadie and Bakero. We had a good chance of winning in the last ball of the game but we weren’t lucky this time.
Game 38
Levante 1 – Barakaldo 1
Next up in the league are Hercules, another one of the promoted sides, and they sit rock bottom of the table, so it’s a chance to get some more points on the board. Our only change is Histilloles in for Arregui. It’s a lacklustre first half with no shots on target from either side. The second half is much the same and despite a shuffle around up front, we can’t find a breakthrough in this dull affair and we’re back to 10th in the table.
Game 39
Barakaldo 2 – Lleida 3
Lleida get their revenge for the Camp D’Esports loss in the first round. We have a goal disallowed in the 6th minute of the game. Gurria quickly makes up for it, only for Navarro to equalise reaching the 30th minute mark. It’s 1-1 at half time and we’ve been by far the better side. We have a few more chances in the second half but it’s Lleida who scores first through Veretennikov. After 5 minutes we get punished for our woeful finishing when Veretennikov strikes again. In the 89th minute of the game, Bakero puts a question mark on the final result after he scored but despite having the last ball in a corner kick, Raúl denies us twice and they take the win.
Despite the loss Las Palmas, Logroñes and Xerez are also losing points which is why we still hold hope to finish in the top 4 and get promoted.
Game 40
Barakaldo 3 – Leganes 2
It’s Saturday and we’re on it again at Lasesarre, this time against Leganes.
Gurria scores early before the 10th minute mark and aided by Mesas being sent off, Gurria strikes again in the 24th minute of the game. Staliunas attempt to regain control is quickly neglected by a potent header of Bakero, putting off the fire in their veins (at least for the first half). In the second half it’s just a cruise control kind of match. The peace is broken when in the 70th minute Staliunas adds a second to Leganes’ tally. However, there wasn’t really much danger beyond that and we take the win, highly celebrated by the fans congregated in Lasesarre.
Sit tight Juan. You will be not moved now. This complaint about the asking price is because at the start of January, I saw the WNT icon and Numancia was interested in picking him up. Therefore, I changed his asking price to 1.4 million and eventually Numancia’s offer just vanished into thin air
Game 41
Elche 1 – Barakaldo 2
A bit of a struggle to win this one. With 20 minutes to go, I decided to shake up the tree a little to find the elusive victory. Eventually we made it, Zamarripa rose up to the task and the team heads home happily after collecting a massive 3 points.
As you see from these pictures, this next matchday is absolutely crucial. Alaves is fighting to avoid relegation and their only possible choice is to win. On the other side, we’re fighting to be directly promoted to Primera Division, and our best bet would be winning to avoid depending of our rival’s results.
Game 42
Barakaldo 3 – Alaves 0
The time of truth has arrived. Can we get directly promoted or will we have to wait another year?
Yes! We’ve done it! I honestly thought that Alaves would have more resolve as they were fighting to avoid relegation, but soon it became clear to us why they were in that spot.
Unfortunately for Alaves, this means relegation to non-league and their board took actions swiftly.
FINAL STANDINGS:
FULL FIXTURE RECAP:
WORLD CUP:
ANNUAL AWARDS:
In a very weird twist of fate, Joachim Low decided to coach Extremadura after getting sacked from Stuttgart
FFS! I’m going to Primera Division almost in banktrupcy
BARAKALDO’S PLAYER OF THE SEASON AND GOAL SCORER OF THE SEASON **
And so my friends, it’s to bring this episode to an end. Hope you enjoyed this first season with us.
See you soon with a new season in Primera Division. Aupa Barakaldo!
- Footnote here: I forgot to screenshot the average ratings, goals scored, goal assists and man of the match awards that’s why I’m only showing the player of the season and top goal scorer
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