Atlético de Madrid will look to rebound from Tuesday’s loss in an unforgiving environment, as the Colchoneros travel to the Basque Country to face Athletic Club in a 9 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.
Atlético (9-4-2, 31 points) limp into Bilbao after a disappointing mid-week performance against FC Barcelona. It is the second of three consecutive away matches for a team that has struggled away from home all season. And in the midst of a grueling December over three competitions. Atleti will have to dig deep to stay close to Barcelona, Real Madrid and even Villarreal, currently the third-place team in LaLiga.
Atlético will need a big showing from out-of-form Julián Alvarez, especially as Álex Baena already has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. With Baena sidelined for the foreseeable future, Los Rojiblancos are going to need to rely heavily on Alvarez’s ability to create — and finish — chances. Prospective replacement Thiago Almada also will be counted on despite seeing his minutes cut as of late.
Athletic Club (6-2-7, 20 points) are in the midst of its own stressful run of games. Los Leones lost 3-0 at San Mamés to Real Madrid on Wednesday and welcome PSG (sheesh) to Bilbao next Wednesday. Athletic have lost four of the past six matches in LaLiga and have just four victories from the past 14 games overall. It’s added up to a disappointing season thus far for Ernesto Valverde’s men, who entered the year with hopes of retaining 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. In addition, Athletic signed Jesús Areso from Osasuna, the right-back opting to return home rather than join Atleti.
Outside of Baena and Giménez, Atleti are not expected to have Marcos Llorente either, as the right-back is set to miss his fourth consecutive game. Johnny Cardoso has not been ruled out after he suffered a left knee contusion during the Barça game.
Possible 11: Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Nico; Barrios, Gallagher, Almada, Giuliano; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Atlético de Madrid hold a 82-31-63 all-time record against Athletic Club in LaLiga. In their last 10 league meetings, Atlético have recorded a 6-1-3 record against Lehoiak. In their last 7 trips to Estadio San Mames, Atleti have won just twice.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Only a handful, owing to the difficult relationship between clubs: Raúl García, Daniel Aranzubia, Txomin Nagore and Santiago Ezquerro.
