Welcome back, everyone! We have been promoted to Primera Division and we will be facing the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and so on this season.
The main goal for this season is avoiding relegation at all costs while adhiring to our strict policy of Basque-born only players.
Let’s start with the transfer activity in this off-season
TRANSFER NEWS:
Their contracts have ran out and I attempt to capitalize on that.
Unfortunately, no luck and they both turn me down
Let’s keep it going then
Born in Bilbao, Vizcaya. Played for Athletic Bilbao, Zaragoza, Lleida and Amurrio.
Born in Equatorial Guinea. He joined Real Sociedad B as a youth, therefore he qualifies as an eligible player
OK. Moving on then.
A few days later these lads are released from Real Sociedad. Highly unlikely that their free agency goes unnoticed as they’re top notch players, but we’ll bid anyway.
Well, at least we tried.
SIGNINGS:
As you can see, he’s the regen of Eugenio Bustingorri, a product from the Osasuna’s youth team who played most of his career in Osasuna with brief spells in Atletico Madrid and Izarra. Looks like a good option to have as a left defensive midfielder.
This fella is the regen of Patxi Salinas, so it’s definitely a no-brainer to go all in for him given he’s free
We got him. Good!
The good news is that no one has left the club so the squad is intact.
As money is a bit thin due to my prize being spent on building new seats I organized a couple of home friendlies to collect some fundings.
Friendly 1
OK test against a non-league team. Good goal difference
Friendly 2
This one was a proper test. Bastia are a Ligue 1 team and definitely higher in quality than Murcia. Despite being an even match, we only managed to score through Calle whilst they finished us off in the second half
Friendly 3
This match however there wasn’t a big display of football on our side. We only managed one on shot on target to their seven. The final score is a flattering one, though spectators leave Lasesarre with a look of concern in our eyes. Is the season going to be this hard?
The season begins with a Copa Del Rey match, and the wheel of fortune gave us no other than Celta de Vigo. It’s a very good opportunity to avenge the early exit of past year. If you don’t remember what happened back then, let me refresh your memory. I wasn’t able to find left full-back at the moment of the match and I had to resort playing a left midfielder in that slot, using a 2332 tactic. I lost that match 3-0 and I won 4-2 at home, therefore if it hadn’t been for that mishap I firmly believe I would have progressed further.
Copa Del Rey 1st Round Leg 1:
Celta 2 – Barakaldo 1
The difference in this game was Celta taking their chances and us fluffing ours. Uribarrena’s provisional draw was very short-lived as Bruno Caires scored just one minute later and thwarted our opportunity to leave Balaídos with a 1-1. Nevertheless I have high hopes for leg 2 in Lasesarre so I don’t think the playoff is totally lost.
Game 1
Valencia 3 – Barakaldo 2
Welcome to Primera Division Valencia said to us. A penalty committed by Zubizarreta in the 7th minute of the game was converted into a goal by Uribarrena. However, just as Valencia kicked off the ball, a smart play ended up in Albelda’s feet and he put the ball into Iru’s net. From then on, Valencia went into a high charge against our goal which paid their dividend when Albelda with a header scored again in the 39th minute. Fernando added a third goal in the 51th minute but Bakero brought us closer with a header after a corner kick. Unfortunately after Bakero’s goal there wasn’t much action from our side and Valencia kept their foot on the throttle with Iru doing his best.
Game 2
Barakaldo 1 – Real Madrid 1
Is there a better match to start your season at home than against the almighty Real Madrid?
18500 spectators out of the 19.000 available came up to Lasesarre to enjoy this match. We ended up collecting a very nice point in front of our crowd and against players of the calibre of Redondo, Roberto Carlos and Suker. Through thick and thin, I trust in our formation and we’re keeping it.
Copa Del Rey 1st Round Leg 2:
Barakaldo 2 – Celta 0
The first victory of the season and when it mattered! Well done boys. Just early in the game, a cross from Bakero went to Zamarripa, whose shot was blocked by Dutruel and Xabier showed up to tap it into the net. Then, just two minutes later Josema was sent off and Celta were forced to retreat for a while, which led to our team push forward until half-time. Zamarripa placed the finishing touch in the 59th minute of the game and despite trying at the late stages, they fell into their knees. We’re through to the next round!
Game 3
Barakaldo 3 – Hercules 0
We showed Hercules no mercy and we make light work of them in the early stages. In the second half, there were some brief moments of action from Hercules, with Maestri blasting a penalty wide in the 56th minute. Our supporters go home happy with the display of football by our guys.
This match wraps up our first episode of this new season with Barakaldo.
Tune in next week where we will cover the 5 next matches from Primera Division and also the second round from Copa Del Rey. See ya friends 🙂
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