Athletic have the best supporters in Spain, very proud fanbase because of the team's policies (only local players play for the team). Despite this the team has never been relegated, together with Madrid and Barça, and have won many titles.

Sometimes times are tough (5 years ago the team ended one point ahead of relegation) but the fans are always there supporting the players. Because they are local players it's easy for someone to know them personally or to know someone who knows them, so the team and the fanbase have a communion.

Anyway, really happy with my team today, and I'm going back to my city (Bilbao) just in time to enjoy the atmosphere there before the second leg (too late to get a ticket though).

Bielsa is great, makes football very enjoyable, it sucks that we had him in our national team and lost him because a bunch of thugs took over our federation.

But Im happy Bilbao fans can enjoy him now.

Great day in the Premier League today (for a UTD supporter), but still 10 games left to go. Still think the derby will play a big part in deciding the title, unless Chelsea or Arsenal can take points from City.

Watching Arsenal in 20 mins. If we beat Newcastle I think we have a great chance of finishing 3rd, and that's the best we'll get this season.

What do you guys think about the Podolski and recent Gotze transfer rumours (to Arsenal)?

I think Podolski is likely but Gotze? I doubt it.

Congrats, great finish to a great game. Newcastle defended really well but I think Arsenal just about deserved it. 

It sounds like Podolski is more or less a done deal, which would be great for them. The season still hinges on RVP staying fit for the nest 10 games so another striker is essential. Not sure about Gotze. I'm sure they could afford the transfer fee if they really wanted to, the only problem would be his wages. They couldn't match Chelsea, City, Madrid etc. if any of them wanterd him too. So in short I doubt they'll get him, but it sounds like he'd be a great addition to the team.

The more I hear of these expensive players being linked to Arsenal, the more I think about where they're going to get the money. Which in turn makes me think they're going to sell Van Persie ...

I was so nervous! Glad we managed to steal it in the last minute, definitely think we deserved it.

Money isn't the issue, Arsenal have the money, they're one of the richest clubs in the world (3rd richest), it's just that the board don't give Arsene much to work with. £100,000 a week per player and £50,000,000 transfer fees just isn't enough for a major team anymore, especially those wages. Arsenal does have a good reputation though, which is helpful (Podolski turned down 200k a week at Anzhi for 100k a week at Arsenal if the rumours are believed) and Gotze said the 2 clubs he'd want to move to are Barcelona and Arsenal.

So all we really need to do is to raise the limit for wages, and we do have the money, but making a large profit seems to be priority to the club.

Bayern - Madrid tonight! predict!

I say 2-1 if Pepe doesn't break Robbens leg

really disgusting play from Real.. and Webb a chicken for not giving red cards.. heck I was actually right with my prediction

Webb and his team sucked hard today. Agreed ?

...when Ramos walks away quietly accepting a yellow card cause he himself for once knew it was a red one.. yeah Webb sucked.. I actually think Ramos was surprised.