Atlético’s nightmare week continues in Bilbao | OneFootball

Tough week for Atlético de Madrid, who also fell to Athletic Bilbao to close a week where they lost ground in the race for the lead. Two difficult away games, but two defeats that will mark the end of the year (and there are still many important matches left in December).

Atleti started with the intention to dominate, but Athletic came out biting, pressing and stealing, to create danger (like in the second minute, when Jauregizar almost capitalized on a cross from Sancet after a steal on the wing) and especially making it difficult for Cholo's team to create play.

In general, Atlético carried more of the game's weight, but the clear chances were for the Basque team, who, although they barely managed to adjust their shots on target, had very clear chances to score in the first half (Guruzeta in the 10th minute, Nico Williams in the 17th and 23rd, Sancet in the 22nd).

That doesn't mean Atlético de Madrid didn't test the locals. Almada had the clearest chance of the match for the red and whites (today in blue) with a play that started from Oblak's boots, ending with a cross from Julián Álvarez to Almada, forcing a great save from Unai Simón in the 18th minute.

In the final stretch of the first half, Julián Álvarez also had another chance in the 38th minute, cutting inside the edge of the area and finishing with a left-footed shot that went close to the left post.

IN THE SECOND HALF, THE GOAL FELL FOR THE HOME SIDE

With Koke on the field (replacing Gallagher), Atlético de Madrid tried to control the game more and create more scoring opportunities. And at times they succeeded, but at times the match resembled a back-and-forth, where chances quickly alternated from one side to the other.

But it seemed that the most dangerous chances were always near Oblak's goal. Barrios seemed like an octopus, who couldn't be dispossessed and generated the danger he wanted, but almost always through the center (the wings weren't working entirely).

With just a quarter of an hour to go, the feeling that whoever struck first would take the win was more than evident. Nico Williams had it in the 76th minute, after shaking off Sørloth in the area and shooting almost point-blank at the Slovenian who saved and prevented the first goal of the match.

And in this context came the decisive part of the match. With just five minutes to go, Sørloth had a very clear shot in the area to score what would have been Atlético's first goal, with Unai Simón responding excellently. And just in the next play, Berenguer did what Sørloth couldn't (beat the opposing goalkeeper). A great shot from the edge of the area by Berenguer, which Oblak could do nothing about, 1-0 and out.

With just a minute to go, Atlético could have equalized after a foul caused by Sørloth. Griezmann sent the ball in and Unai Simón managed to deflect it to a corner, frustrating the few remaining chances.

What's done is done. Now... Eindhoven.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.