Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, two Spanish football powerhouses, are set to clash in a crucial La Liga match on Saturday, with Champions League qualification on the line. Atletico, currently fourth in the standings, holds a three-point advantage over fifth-placed Athletic.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico have endured a turbulent season, suffering a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals and a disappointing loss to Alaves in La Liga. The pressure is mounting on Simeone’s team to deliver a strong performance against Athletic.
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic, on the other hand, have been in impressive form this season, particularly against Atletico. They have defeated Simeone’s side on all three occasions they have met, scoring six goals and conceding none.
In December, Athletic outplayed Atletico 2-0 at San Mames, prompting Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak to criticize his team’s performance. “You can’t win titles like this, you can’t win leagues… Bilbao were a lot better than us,” Oblak said.
The teams met again in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, with Atletico losing 1-0 at home. Athletic dominated the second leg, securing a 3-0 victory.
Despite their recent struggles, Atletico remain a formidable opponent. They have a strong squad and a proven track record of success under Simeone. However, Athletic will be confident of securing a victory, knowing that it would give them a significant boost in their quest for Champions League qualification.
The match promises to be a high-intensity affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Atletico will be eager to bounce back from their recent setbacks, while Athletic will be determined to continue their impressive run against Simeone’s side.
