Atlético de Madrid will look to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat as the Colchoneros travel to the Basque Country to face Athletic Club in a 9pm kick-off on Saturday.
Atlético (9-4-2, 31 points) is limping into Bilbao after a disappointing midweek performance against FC Barcelona. This is the second of three consecutive away matches for a team that has struggled away from home all season. And In the middle of a tough December of three competitions. Atleti will have to dig deep to stay close to Barcelona, Real Madrid and even Villarreal, who is currently the third-placed team in LaLiga.
Atletico will need big performances from out-of-form Julian Alvarez, especially with Alex Baena already sidelined with a hamstring injury. With Baena sidelined for the foreseeable future, Los Rojiblancos will need to rely heavily on Álvarez’s ability to create and finish chances. Potential replacement Thiago Almada will also be relied upon despite seeing his minutes cut recently.
Athletic Club (6-2-7, 20 points) is going through its share of tense games. Los Leones lost 3-0 to Real Madrid at San Mamés on Wednesday and welcome PSG (sheesh) to Bilbao next Wednesday. Athletic have lost four of their last six matches in LaLiga and won only four of their last 14 matches overall. It adds to a disappointing season so far for Ernesto Valverde’s men, who entered the year with hopes of maintaining their place in the top four – especially after Nico Williams signed a new 10-year contract and the club convinced Aymeric Laporte to return from Al-Nassr. Additionally, Athletic signed Jesús Areso from Osasuna, a right-back who opted to return home rather than join Atleti.
Apart from Baena and Jimenez, Atleti are not expected to have Marcos Llorente, as the right-back is set to miss a fourth consecutive game. johnny cardoso He has not been ruled out after injuring his left knee during the Barca game.
Possible 11: Oblak; Molina, Pabil, Hanko, Nico; Barrios, Gallagher, Almada, Giuliano; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Atlético de Madrid’s all-time record against Athletic Club in La Liga is 82–31–63. In their last 10 league meetings, Atlético have a record of 6–1–3 lehoyakIn their last 7 visits to the Estadio San Mamés, Atleti have won only twice,
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Due to difficult relations between the clubs only a handful: Raúl García, Daniel Aranzubia, Txomin Nagor and Santiago Ezquerro.