Is the curtain coming down in Bilbao?

Old Trafford followed by la Catedral. One memorable night for Marco Bielsa’s young guns, closely followed by another. Dismantling the premier league leaders in both legs of their Europa League tie earned el Loco and his Lezama disciples plenty of plaudits from all corners of the footballing globe, and rightfully so. Not only did the Basque lions beat Manchester United twice, but they did so in exhaustingly emphatic fashion. Not by respectfully sitting back and hoping to nick a goal here and there, but instead by mercilessly suffocated the Red Devils from start to finish. Sir Alex was mesmerised by the incessant work rate his side had to deal with over the 180 minutes and magnanimously held his hands up in admiration of the hungry lions.

What the fawning admirers failed to pick up on over the past week was the fact that on either side of Athletic’s home leg victory over United, Bielsa’s side lost both of its league matches, first against local rivals Osasuna and then at the hands of Valencia.

Muniain does his Usain Bolt impression before rifling the ball past De Gea

But the very credible talk surrounding Athletic’s chances of going all the way in the Europa League, and the hotly anticipated Copa del Rey showdown in May against Barcelona in the Calderón, are big enough distractions to keep the red and white army’s eyes diverted away from studying la primera league table too attentively. Of course, any team can become a victim of its own successful cup run -- anyone remember how Ipswich Town’s flirtation with the UEFA cup during the 2001/02 season ended up with the club suffering relegation?

While that is an extreme example, it is still a relevant one where Bielsa’s team is concerned. Not only has the Argentine’s side had to tog out on 45 separate occasions so far this season (27 Primera liga, 10 Europa League, 8 Copa del Rey), but sterling performances from the likes of Javi Martínez, Fernando Llorente, Andoni Iraola and Iker Muniani have not evaded the attention of Vicente del Bosque, who now requires their services during the international breaks. On top of the extra fatigue these four very talented pairs of legs have to endure in the name of national pride, Óscar de Marcos, Mikel San José, Ander Iturraspe and Ander Herrera are also relied upon by their country, with Luis Milla counting on them for his Spanish under 21 squad, which is also acting as the precursor to the squad for the Olympics. And that’s without mentioning Fernando Amorebieta, who has clocked up an enviable amount of air miles traipsing back and forth across the Atlantic to marshal his native Venezuelan defense.

Bielsa goes loco as Osasuna leave his side pointless

 Although there may be 33 first team squad members on the Basque books, rotation is not a word that features heavily in the manager’s plans. There are 13 players who are relied upon far more than anyone else by the video tape opposed coach, and making up that number are all nine of the aforementioned internationals, as well as Gorka Iraizoz, Markel Susaeta, Ander Iturraspe, Jon Aurtenetxe and Gaizka Toquero.

In the press conference following the first leg of his side’s eventual elimination by the Spanish side, Sir Alex explained of how he looked on with exasperation as Bielsa had his team practicing drills for three hours with all the intensity one would usually reserve for a pre-season training session, the day before their encounter. The effects of such an energetic approach by such a small group of players was plain to see when the giant killing heroes took on fellow fourth spot chasers Osasuna in the Reyno de Navarra the following Sunday. Then the high-pressure game, which is probably still keeping Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans awake at night, was nowhere to be seen. The home side took all three points that night, as Valencia did with ease a week later in San Mamés.

Soldado gives Gorka the slip to begin his Catedral hat-trick

Muniain isn’t worried about these dropped points though, as he told Marca, “these two defeats haven’t been down to tiredness because you can see we run like dogs”. While this 19-year-old may have all the exuberance of a canine in heat, teammate Llorente’s body is slightly more mortal, as was seen when he limped off against United. His absence is a huge lose to any starting XI and he was sorely missed against Valencia. Diego Simeone no doubt rubbed his hands in mischievous joy upon hearing that his Atlético defence wouldn’t have the towering Lion King tormenting them in tonight’s important league clash.

Any thoughts that the highly inconsistent performances by the teams looking to bag the valuable fourth spot would continue indefinitely seem to be numbered. Santi Cazorla’s stunning last minute equaliser on the weekend, which left the Bernabeu so silent you could almost hear Mourinho’s heart rate increasing, capped off an impressive month for Malaga. While the nouveau riche club had been stuttering to find form for most of the season, the last four matches have seen them pick up an impressive 10 points from 12 and confidence seems to be soaring within Pellegrini’s ranks. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the Malaguistas only have the league to concentrate on. Bad news for the other clubs chasing the, perhaps not-as-available-as-before fourth spot.

Not that failing to reach the Champions League would be a massive catastrophe for Athletic, one of Spain’s only solvent clubs. However, hanging onto some of the most coveted players in Europe would be a lot easier with an extra few million euro in the bank. The summer is going to feel like an eternity for the fans as the inevitable offers come in for Martínez and Llorente and who knows who else.

Bielsa is not one to concern himself too much with looking ahead to the next season, but given the precarious nature of this golden generation’s future at the Bilbao club and the unlikelihood that the team will finish the domestic campaign much higher than it did last season (6^th), even he must be worried that if neither of the cup runs amounts to silverware, his legacy at the club may just become a footnote in the history books.

Javi Martínez: The Unsung Lion

On top of the World (left to right Navas, Martínez, Ramos)

Club Athletic de Bilbao has filled plenty of column inches in the Spanish press this season since the arrival of new coach, Marcelino Bielsa. The argentine has revolutionised the way the Basque outfit plays, moving away from its very British style of long ball physicality to a more creative and thoughtful strategic approach.

That’s not to say that los leones have forsaken their domineering presence on the pitch in order to adopt this more aesthetically pleasing style. The intensity is still there, only now it has been coupled with fast, intricate passing, a combination which makes playing against them quite a suffocating experience, as Barcelona can testify to after they just about managed to take a point away on their travels at the beginning of November.

Much of the club’s success is down to the players, among whom whippersnappers Iker Muniain and Ander Herrera have received oodles of praise for making this transition to free flowing football so seamless. Obviously both of these youngsters are tremendously important for the club, however, as devastating as their attack minded approach might be for opposition defences, it wouldn’t exist if not for the irrepressible Javi Martínez doing the less glamorous work in behind them.

Martínez, only 23 years old himself, has been a stable in the Athletic midfield since joining from Osasuna in 2006 at the tender age of 17, for a reported €6 million. Such a high value was placed on the relatively inexperienced teenager because of the clear potential and maturity he consistently showed throughout his time in the Rojillo cantera, with more than a few comparisons between him and Patrick Viera being made.

Tangled up in (Claret and) Blue

His professional development hasn’t slipped under Vicente Del Bosque’s radar, getting the call up to the Spanish team on a number of occasions, including last year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, for which he was the youngest player included in the triumphant 23 man squad.

Due to the unrivalled abundance of world-class talent within La Roja midfield, Martínez only featured very briefly during the tournament, coming on for Xabi Alonso against Chile in the group stages. However, not perturbed by the competitive nature within the national team, he decided to represent his country again this year during the European Under-21 Championship in Denmark, where yet again he tasted victory alongside fellow “lion”, Ander Herrera when Spain beat Switzerland 2-0 in the final.

Prior to Bielsa taking charge in Bilbao, Joaquín Caparrós was Martínez’s mentor at club level. Under his tutelage, the Navarra born tower block carved out a regular place for himself as one of two pivots, remaining a fixture in the position while others had to scrap it out for the second defensive midfield spot, like Pablo Orbaiz, Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora, and Ander Murillo, all of whom went on to leave the club, while Andoni Iraola was pushed back into defence.

Now, under the more adventurous and tactically astute Bielsa, Martínez has found himself playing centre half more and more, probably due to his massive presence on the field, aerial dominance, his ability to read the game and his penchant for no-nonsense passing.

So far he has adapted well to the change of position and the Athletic defence looks the stronger for it. Previous comparisons to Viera now seem redundant, his current style, of playing the ball out from the back and starting the build up play, is more akin to that of Gerard Piqué, his team mate in the national side. Something Del Bosque is no doubt taking note of as he starts to draw up his squad for the impending Euros next summer. Martínez has a greater chance of starting for La Roja in defence, where the competition for places is not nearly as fierce as it is in the middle of the park. Puyol and Piqué’s partnership is beginning to wane as a result of injuries and age, especially for the former.

Such reliability and consistency at the highest level has understandably caught the eye of a fair few prestigious admirers, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and both sides of the Manchester blue and red divide. What prevents most of these clubs from signing him is a contract that expires in June 2016. The only way around this for any potential suitors is by coughing up a whopping €40 million to exercise the get out clause.

Quite a hefty sum by anyone’s standards with the possible of exception of Manchester City who, under the stewardship of club owner Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have shown a willingness and ability to meet almost any price asked of them, as the €910 million already spent by the oil Sheik demonstrates. As far as the Sky Blues are concerned this €40 million would be pocket change as Manchini’s war chest appears to know no limits, at least until the FFP rules come into effect.

The Spaniard would be a welcome addition to the City line-up, where he could act as an alternative to Gareth Barry in the midfield. Stronger in the air, tougher in the tackle, equal in terms of aggression and definitely more spritely than the lead footed Englishman, Martínez’s one drawback would probably be his pass completion rate compared to Barry’s. His versatility could also see him play across the back four, in place of Joleon Lescott or Vicente Kompany.

Despite City’s wealth, Athletic are not worried about having their player poached away any time soon. The noises from within San Mamés signal that he is happy and settled where he is. Saying that, every player has his price and the lure of the Premier League might eventually become impossible to say no to.

Fact: Martínez made his debut as a centre half in a preseason friendly against Tottenham this year, which ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao: 21-11-2011

Athletic Bilbao extended their great run of form tonight with a 2-1 win away to Sevilla. Marcelo Bielsa’s team has now gone eight consecutive league games without losing. The Argentine coach, who has revolutionised the playing style of the Basque club, got his tactics right yet again, this time gambling on Javi Martinez in defence.

The game started quite frantically from both sides and the first two goals came early as a result. The first came in the fifth minute when Iroala from just outside the box tucked the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Javi Varas’ net with pinpoint precision after a woeful headed clearance from the returning Negredo.

Sevilla didn’t take long to even matters though, when a salmon like leap from Kanouté nodded the ball to recent Spanish call up, Jesus Navas, who fired the ball across the Athletic goal and out of Iraizoz’s reach.

Jesús Navas and Javi Martínez fight it out for possession

With the scoreboard reading one all Athletic slowly began to control the game, playing some beautiful stuff in spells. Iker Muniain in particular shined in midfield and continued to show why he is being touted as one of La Liga and Spain’s brightest young prospects. Sevilla’s only chance after equalising in the first half came when Negredo hopefully struck from distance, without really troubling the keeper.

Marcelino’s men came out for the restart more determined and with more physical intent: hassling and pressuring their visitors far more effectively than they had done. The Athletic back line was tested on a number of occasions as ball after ball was played in behind them in search of danger man Negredo.

The more Sevilla attacked though, the more menacing Athletic seemed, as Fernando Llorente and Ander Herrera both threatened the home team’s goal mouth on the break.

The winner came with 20 minutes to go, when Emir Spahic made a haymes of a pass, with the ball ending up at Muniain’s feet. The on fire 19 year old took full advantage of the mistake, finding De Marcos running in behind the back line who managed to poke the ball under the on rushing Javi Varas and run on to finish the move with the simplest of tap ins.

Sevilla attempted to get back into the game by playing a very high line for the remainder but Athletic were defended solidly and were able to see out the game as winners.

Athletic’s transition from it’s long held “British approach” of long-ball physicality to the more dynamic and thoughtful style of Bielsa took a while to get going but seems to be well and truly embedded now, as was shown two weeks ago against Barcalona and again tonight in the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

Sevilla 1 Atheltic Bilboa 2: Iroala (5), Navas (14), De Marcos (70)