Atletico Madrid Find Form Again as Athletic Club’s European Ambitions Take a Blow

Following their midweek defeat to Elche, Atleti saw the return of several seasoned players, but they were immediately put on the back foot within three minutes. A ball over the top found Gorka Guruzeta, who attempted a shot at a tight angle, only to be denied by Jan Oblak.

That marked the only significant attempt from either team in the opening quarter, which also featured a penalty appeal from Alex Baena that was turned down after he fell in the box.

However, midway through the first half, the visitors struck first. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta’s corner kick was met with a powerful header from Dani Vivian, putting Athletic in the lead.

Los Colchoneros, having conceded first at home to Athletic for just the fourth time this season, finally mustered a threat with nine minutes to go in the first half. Giuliano Simeone’s cross from the right picked out Alexander Sorloth, whose header was directed straight at Unai Simon.

Despite that effort, the home side continued to lack cohesion and faced a chorus of boos as they headed to the half-time break.

Yet, those boos turned into cheers just four minutes into the second half as Antoine Griezmann netted the equaliser, tapping in from a low cross by Baena that took a couple of deflections.

Just five minutes later, Atletico turned the tables completely when Simeone surged through the midfield before passing to Sorloth. The striker combined brilliantly with Baena before finishing with finesse.

The Norwegian forward nearly netted again shortly after, but he sent his effort wide, aiming for the top corner.

As the hour approached, Athletic regained some momentum; Guruzeta almost drew level when his shot whistled narrowly wide, then Oihan Sancet saw his attempt blocked firmly, followed by a header from Dani Vivian that flew over the bar.

In the closing stages, Bilbao appeared to be running out of options as long-range attempts from Vivian and Mikel Vesga failed to trouble Oblak.

In stoppage time, Nahuel Molina located Sorloth at halfway, and the striker bolted away unchallenged to secure the points for Atleti, preventing a fifth consecutive league defeat for the first time since 1942.

A late header from Guruzeta provided Athletic with a consolation goal, but the Basque club fell just short of achieving their first double over Atletico in 26 years and remain three points adrift of the top six.