The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Athletic Bilbao

  • Chelsea’s perfect start helps Arrizabalaga settle in

    Chelsea’s convincing start to the Premier League campaign has helped new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga settle in to life at Stamford Bridge, following his world record transfer, the 23-year-old has said.

    Chelsea signed Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for 80 million euros (£72.10 million) last month and the Spaniard has kept two clean sheets in the side’s four-game winning streak to start the season.

    “I’m getting used to my new life: a new city, new team, but it’s been positive because when things start well on the pitch, it makes everything easier.

    Read Also: Chelsea’s Sarri gets winning start at Huddersfield

    Arrizabalaga, who was called up to the Spain squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and England, said moving to London as Thibaut Courtois’ replacement had felt like the right move.

    “I’m happy to take this step, I want to enjoy it… I have felt valued. In the last few years, a lot of Spaniards have done important things here and that’s good for those of us to arrive most recently,” Arrizabalaga told Spanish paper AS.

  • Man City’s Mangala moves to Everton on loan

    Man City’s Mangala moves to Everton on loan

    Everton have signed France centre back Eliaquim Mangala on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City subject to clearance from the Premier League.

    Mangala found himself surplus to requirements at the league leaders, who broke their club record to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte on Tuesday, for a reported 57 million pounds fee.

    “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play for Everton and I cannot wait to pull on the royal blue jersey for the first time and give my all for the supporters,” Mangala told Everton’s website.

    Read Also: City in talks over Mangala

    The 26-year-old, who joined City from Porto in 2014 and spent most of last season on loan in Valencia, has made nine league appearances this season, including five from the bench.

    He is Everton’s third signing of the January window, following the arrivals of winger Theo Walcott from Arsenal and striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.

    NAN

  • Real Madrid to abandon team bus for safety reasons

    Real Madrid to abandon team bus for safety reasons

    Real Madrid will not use their branded team bus to transport players for the trip to Catalonia to play Girona on Sunday for security reasons, Spanish media reported on Tuesday.

    The club do not want the vehicle to become a target due to political unrest in the region over Catalonia’s bid for independence.

    Madrid do not usually bring the team coach to matches which are considered high risk, like the “El Classico” in Barcelona or away at Athletic Bilbao.

    The team are planning to arrive in Girona by plane on Saturday evening before the match on Sunday, which they will travel to in an unmarked coach, Marca said.

    However, the plans are subject to change based on the political situation.

    Read Also:

    La Liga: Ronaldo Returns, Saves Madrid against Getafe

  • Athletic squad shaves heads in support of Yeray

    Athletic squad shaves heads in support of Yeray

     

    Athletic Bilbao players have shaved their heads in a show of solidarity with team-mate Yeray, who is suffering from cancer.

    The defender was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in December last year and had an operation to remove the tumour, before returning to first-team football in February.

    However, medical checks carried out last month showed that the disease had returned and the 22-year-old immediately began chemotherapy.

    The rest of the first team have pledged their support to the Spain Under-21 international and other cancer sufferers across the world by agreeing to shave off their hair.

    Athletic stars Iker Muniain and Aymeric Laporte each shared messages of support on Twitter before the club posted the pictures via their own official account.

    Midfielder Oscar de Marcos later said at a news conference: “This is not only for Yeray but for all those people who suffer from this disease. You see that here they have support.”

    Yeray is expected to be out of action for three months while undergoing treatment, meaning he will miss the start of the 2017-18 LaLiga season.

  • Athletic Bilbao stun Real Madrid

    Athletic Bilbao stun Real Madrid

    REAL Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Saturday meaning if Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano Sunday lunchtime they will move to the top of La Liga.

    Gareth Bale hit the post from 50 yards out but it was the closest Carlo Ancelotti’s team came as an Aritz Aduriz header in the first half was enough to give Athletic a famous victory that could seriously derail Real Madrid’s title charge.

    They started brightly enough with Karim Benzema swapping passes with Marcelo and crossing for Ronaldo, only for Xabier Etxieta’s clearance to stop the ball reaching Madrid’s top scorer.

    Athletic had been on a good run with two league wins and a cup semi-final victory and they were soon into their stride with forwards Iñaki Williams and Aduriz stretching a Madrid defence under-protected by a midfield still missing Luka Modric who will not be back until midweek in the Champions League.

    When Athletic’s goal came it was that midfield weakness that created the opening. Mikel Rico had all the time and space he wanted to cross for Aduriz and the on-form centre-forward rose to head home his 18th goal of the season.

    Isco should have got across to Rico more quickly.

    Pepe might also be disappointed he was beaten so easily by Aduriz in the air, but the Athletic striker, who scored twice in midweek to put Athletic in the Cup Final, is on such good form that there is talk of a Spain call-up despite his 34 years. He hung for a moment in the air having got in front of the Real Madrid defender and powered his header past Iker Casillas.

    Real looked disjointed all over the pitch.

    Toni Kroos kicked-out at Andoni Iraola and was booked and Asier Illaramendi was yellow carded shortly afterwards for a foul on Iker Muniain. Athletic also had Aduriz and Etxeita booked but they were keeping their heads and their shape better than their rivals.

    Madrid raised the tempo in the second half and Bale lead the assault on Athletic’s goal. When he tricked his way down the right and pulled the ball back from the byline it looked like producing the equalizer.

    But before Ronaldo could sweep the ball home from three yards out Gorka Iraizoz got a hand to the cross to divert it to safety.