Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | Pre Match
Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
Wanda Metropolitano will play host to an intriguing La Liga contest on Saturday evening, with Atletico Madrid welcoming Athletic Bilbao for what is shaping up to be a fascinating clash in the top flight of Spanish football. This encounter brings together two teams firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of the La Liga standings, each with lofty ambitions for the 2024-25 season. Atletico Madrid, under the seasoned leadership of Diego Simeone, sit third in the table with 53 points from 25 matches, just one point adrift of leaders Barcelona, who hold the edge due to their head-to-head record. With a record of 15 wins, eight draws, and only two defeats, the Red and Whites are in prime position to challenge for the title, a pursuit that has been a hallmark of Simeone’s tenure. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao, managed by Ernesto Valverde, occupy fourth place with 48 points, five points behind Atletico and six off the summit, keeping them very much in the conversation for an unlikely title tilt. Beyond the league, both clubs are juggling multiple competitions, adding layers of complexity to this fixture. Atletico are chasing a treble, with a Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona and a Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid on the horizon, while Athletic are eyeing Europa League glory alongside their domestic campaign. This matchup, then, is not just a battle for three points but a test of depth, resilience, and tactical acumen at a pivotal moment in the season.
Atletico Madrid are firmly in the La Liga title race after 25 matches, sitting third in the table, just one point behind the leaders Barcelona, with a record of 15 wins, eight draws, and two defeats seeing them collect 53 points thus far. Simeone’s side have been a model of consistency, blending their trademark defensive solidity with a more potent attacking output this season, spearheaded by the prolific Julian Alvarez, who has notched 20 goals across all competitions. Their recent form underscores their credentials, with a commanding 3-0 victory over Valencia in La Liga last weekend showcasing their ability to dispatch mid-table opposition with ease. However, the schedule is unrelenting for Atletico, as they navigate a grueling stretch that includes Tuesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg—a result that keeps their domestic cup hopes alive but demands a swift recovery. Looking ahead, two of their next three matches pit them against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League, followed by a blockbuster La Liga clash with Barcelona on March 16, before the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on April 2. This congested fixture list leaves little margin for error, and Simeone will be acutely aware that any slip-up in the league could cede ground to Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of whom are unlikely to falter frequently. At home, Atletico have been formidable, amassing 28 points from 13 La Liga matches at Wanda Metropolitano, a fortress that Athletic Bilbao will need to breach if they are to upset the odds on Saturday evening.
Simeone’s side are going for three trophies this season, with the team also present in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, drawing 4-4 with Barcelona in the first leg of their last-four clash on Tuesday night, while they will tackle Real Madrid in the last-16 stage of the Champions League. This multi-front campaign highlights the depth and versatility of Atletico’s squad, but it also places immense physical and mental demands on the players. The Copa del Rey thriller against Barcelona saw Alexander Sorloth come off the bench to score, yet Simeone is likely to stick with Antoine Griezmann and Alvarez as his starting front pairing against Athletic, banking on their chemistry and goal-scoring prowess. Squad rotation will be key, with Samuel Lino and Jan Oblak poised to return to the lineup after being rested midweek, while Robin Le Normand pushes for a start in defense. The potential absence of veteran midfielder Koke due to a minor injury is a concern, but Atletico’s roster remains largely intact, giving Simeone plenty of options to manage fatigue and maintain intensity. Facing an Athletic side that has historically posed problems—winning three of the last five meetings across all competitions—Atletico will need to be at their sharpest. Their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture at San Mames earlier this season offers a blueprint, but the Basque outfit’s current form suggests a sterner test awaits at Wanda Metropolitano.
Athletic Bilbao are also enjoying an excellent campaign, and they will enter this match off the back of a 7-1 victory over Real Valladolid last weekend, with that result moving them onto 48 points from their 25 league matches this season. The Lions have been a revelation under Valverde, blending youthful exuberance with seasoned experience to mount a credible challenge for the top four—and perhaps more. Sitting fourth, four points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal and six behind Barcelona, Athletic are not just in the race for Champions League qualification but also harbor faint hopes of ending their 41-year wait for a La Liga title, last won in 1983-84. Their demolition of Valladolid was a statement of intent, with Nico Williams’ brace highlighting the attacking flair that has fueled an unbeaten run of 16 league matches, stretching back to a defeat against Girona in early October. On the road, Athletic have secured 20 points from 12 La Liga outings, a respectable tally that will give them confidence as they face Atletico’s home stronghold. Beyond La Liga, the Basque side are preparing for a Europa League last-16 clash with Roma, adding another dimension to their season ambitions. A return to the Champions League, last achieved with a fourth-place finish in 2013-14, would be a monumental achievement, and this clash with Atletico offers a chance to measure themselves against one of Spain’s elite.
The Basque outfit are unbeaten in their last 16 league matches, with their last defeat coming against Girona at the start of October, while they are also bidding for European success this term, preparing to tackle Roma in the last-16 stage of the Europa League. This remarkable streak underscores Valverde’s tactical nous and the cohesion within his squad, which has been largely untroubled by injuries. Alvaro Djalo remains sidelined with an ankle issue, but Athletic emerged from their Valladolid rout without fresh concerns, allowing Valverde to potentially name an unchanged XI. Nico Williams, fresh off his two-goal haul, will line up opposite his brother Inaki Williams on the flanks, while Maroan Sannadi, who scored his first goal for the club last time out, is expected to lead the line at just 24 years old. This attacking trio poses a significant threat to Atletico’s defense, particularly given Athletic’s recent success against them—three wins in the last five encounters across all competitions. However, their two most recent league losses to Atletico, including this season’s 1-0 reverse, suggest that Simeone’s side knows how to neutralize their Basque rivals. For Athletic, this match is an opportunity to disrupt the top-three narrative and assert their credentials as genuine contenders, but they’ll need to overcome a hostile Wanda Metropolitano crowd and a battle-hardened Atletico outfit to do so.
This La Liga showdown at Wanda Metropolitano pits two of Spain’s most in-form teams against each other, with Atletico Madrid’s title aspirations and Athletic Bilbao’s top-four ambitions hanging in the balance. For Simeone, it’s about keeping pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid while managing a brutal schedule, relying on the likes of Griezmann and Alvarez to deliver in attack. For Valverde, it’s a chance to extend Athletic’s unbeaten run and close the gap on the podium places, with the Williams brothers and Sannadi leading the charge. The historical edge may tilt slightly toward Athletic in recent meetings, but Atletico’s home dominance and deeper squad could prove decisive. With both sides chasing silverware on multiple fronts, this clash promises intensity, drama, and moments of brilliance—hallmarks of La Liga at its finest.
