Fernando Llorente says he would be prepared to return to former club Athletic Bilbao after struggling to make his mark at Tottenham. The 33-year-old has scored just six goals in 38 appearances for Spurs since leaving Swansea in 2017 and has played just 46 minutes in the Champions League and Premier League this season. Llorente’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and Spurs are not expected to hand him an extension. A return to struggling Athletic, currently in the Liga relegation zone on goal difference, could represent an ideal move for Llorente, who scored 111 goals in 327 games in Bilbao between 2005 and 2013. “If I have the opportunity and they come to talk to me, probably, yes, is the truth,” he said after Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Camp Nou. As to when he would make the move Llorente added: “Come back now or in summer? I do not know. It does not depend on me. “To go out in the winter market they would have to … [Read more...] about Tottenham striker Llorente wants Athletic Bilbao transfer
Bilbao
Aduriz strike gives Bilbao first league win since August
(Reuters) - Athletic Bilbao won their first La Liga match since their opener in August when an added-time penalty from veteran striker Aritz Aduriz secured a 1-0 win over Girona for newly-installed manager Gaizka Garitano on Monday.Bilbao's former goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz had an inspired night for the visitors and it looked like the struggling Basque outfit, who parted company with coach Eduardo Berrizo last week, would go a 14th league game without a victory.gi However there was late drama when Bilbao substitute Iker Muniain was felled in the box and VAR confirmed it was a penalty. Aduriz, 37, kept his cool to score with a Panenka-style chip down the middle to send San Mames stadium into raptures.It was the perfect start for Garitano, who has been promoted from managing the club's 'B' team, with Bilbao still in the final relegation place but now on 14 points from 15 games and only below Villarreal on their head-to-head record.They are the only team besides Real Madrid and Barcelona … [Read more...] about Aduriz strike gives Bilbao first league win since August
Athletic Bilbao winless streak in Liga ends on late penalty
MADRID -- Veteran striker Aritz Aduriz converted a penalty kick in stoppage time to end Athletic Bilbao's 13-game winless streak in the Spanish league on Monday. Aduriz calmly converted his shot from the spot to give the hosts their first league win - 1-0 over Girona - since the first round in August. Athletic seemed headed to another draw until Jonas Ramalho fouled Iker Muniain inside the area.The result moved the Basque Country club even on points with Villarreal, the first team outside the relegation zone.It was Athletic's first match with coach Gaizka Garitano in command. He replaced Eduardo Berizzo, who was fired last week.Athletic had only three wins this season, with the other two coming against lowly Huesca in the Copa del Rey.Girona, which was unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, dropped to ninth in the league.The Catalan club had a 19th-minute goal disallowed after video review because of a handball by striker Cristhian Stuani before he scored.Leader Barcelona … [Read more...] about Athletic Bilbao winless streak in Liga ends on late penalty
Aduriz earns Athletic Bilbao rare victory with late penalty
Aduriz earns Athletic Bilbao rare victory with late penalty BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Aritz Aduriz’s stoppage-time penalty clinched Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win against Girona and their first LaLiga victory since the opening day of the season. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/aduriz-earns-athletic-bilbao-rare-victory-with-late-penalty-37614265.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/article37614264.ece/17c32/AUTOCROP/h342/bpanews_2c460b9e-3a8e-4ea8-80ca-6e5791ffaa89_1 Email Aritz Aduriz’s stoppage-time penalty clinched Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win against Girona and their first LaLiga victory since the opening day of the season. Aduriz converted from the spot in the second minute of added time after Girona goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz had pulled off a string of outstanding saves to keep Athletic at bay. Iraizoz was at full stretch to deny Inaki Williams and Aduriz early on, while Inigo Cordoba was thwarted in similar fashion. Girona had a … [Read more...] about Aduriz earns Athletic Bilbao rare victory with late penalty
Bilbao sack Berizzo after dire form, appoint Garitano
MADRID (Reuters) - Athletic Bilbao sacked coach Eduardo Berizzo and replaced him with B team manager Gaizka Garitano on Tuesday after a dire run of form which has left the Basque club 18th in La Liga.Bilbao fell to a 3-0 defeat at Levante on Monday, continuing a dreadful spell that has seen them fail to win a league game since the opening day of the season.gi The only La Liga side besides giants Real Madrid and Barcelona never to be relegated from Spain's top flight, Athletic are now three points from safety with 11 points from 14 games."Athletic Club has decided to end the contract with coach Eduardo Berizzo," the club tweeted."From Wednesday December 5 Gaizka Garitano will be in charge of the first team."The 49-year-old Berizzo was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017 while coaching Sevilla.The coach overcame his battle with the disease but was sacked in December because of a bad run of form, taking over at Athletic in May 2018.His replacement Garitano took Eibar to … [Read more...] about Bilbao sack Berizzo after dire form, appoint Garitano