Schalke 04 v Athletic Club Bilbao

A treat for spectators. Schalke have a very hard task now, but so do Bilbao who have shown that they are prone to overconfidence and relaxing too much in the league. Let's hope for an equally entertaining match.

Bielsa is a *bleep* genius.

I bloody love bielsa and I love his philosophy even more! the guy hates park the bus tactic more than even Cruyff

Never change Bielsa!!

What a game. Raul was deadly out there today and he looked like he had more energy and Stamina then anyone else on his team. What a class player that man is.

Munian was excellent yet again and Llorente was bossing people around out there as usual. He will continue to be one of the most underrated forwards in Europe and I'm sure that's fine with him.

The crazy part about Bilbao is the wild swings in form they have over the last month. It's a real head scratcher with the talent they have.

Pretty awesome game.

Loved seeing Raul playing like that. Classic poacher's goal and a wonderful volley. Used his intelligence and technique to hold off players, beat them and play in his teammates. Just a joy to watch.

Schalke were decent until Llorente's second goal, when they would then just collapse. Fantastic football from Athletic Bilbao, especially in the last 20 minutes, or so. Easily the favourites to win the competition.

Why isn't Raul called up by the national team ?

Game. Set. Match.

Thanks for playing

Mr. Festim wrote:Why isn't Raul called up by the national team ?

Because he had his chance and is considered a NT flop by some on this board.

Athletic did struggle tho, their defense was a lot more open than it was against Utd. THey gave up a lot in defense, thankfully Huntelaar is one of those poachers who flop in big games.

Mr Nick09 wrote:Athletic did struggle tho, their defense was a lot more open than it was against Utd. THey gave up a lot in defense, thankfully Huntelaar is one of those poachers who flop in big games.

I wouldn't really call him a flop, he was very lively in the first half (I watched the second one in class, and couldn't focus too much on it) and was a constant threat. I was convinced he would score.

He did put a nice shot on the post from outside the post.

Bilbao's last ditch defending was good tho, they consistently cut off the last passes to him.

Schalke's goalkeeping crisis

Anyway, I am quite butthurt, but really pleased at Raul's performance. Athletic are definately my next favourites to win after Schalke.

Adan is available for Schalke if they need a keeper.

Adan is useful for us, they can happily take Tomas Mejias for free

You want to give away the more talented keeper

lol Mejias is the Abitroll of goal keepers..... i would happily send him to any team so that Pachecho can play more regularly(he is the most talented of the 3)

Who was the one who came on against Ponferredina....not Mejias?

as if any of these guys are going to play regularly for the next 5 or 6 years at the very least

meh send them to Getafe Castilla

btw, Pacheco is a BOSS. He is Casillas' replacement, I called this ages ago.

Meijas and Jesus should get lost so Pacheco can take charge of Castilla

Athletic deserve to be in the CL, and I do hope they qualify. Just a fantastic team all round, like a mini Barca.

They are so gonna win this tournament.

If Athletic aren't 3rd or 4th then they don't deserve to qualify

What's wrong with both teams defence or is it that their attack is just awesome.

Schalke's proper defense is ill/injured/suspended, so they had to make do with some bench players.