Atletico Madrid 3-2 Athletic Club
Atletico Madrid bounced back from their Copa del Rey final defeat with a crucial win over Athletic Club, setting the stage for their upcoming Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. The loss left Athletic Club frustrated as they pondered how they let this match slip away.
As the European clash approaches, questions loom about whether usual starter Jan Oblak will remain in goal or if Juan Musso could step in. Oblak showcased his capability early on, making a critical save off a well-placed shot by Gorka Guruzeta after a cleverly disguised cross.
Both teams showed a lack of defensive solidity in the opening minutes, with Inaki Williams delivering a threatening cross that Unai Gomez failed to capitalize on. The game’s dynamic shifted drastically when Athletic took the lead, with Aitor Paredes scoring from a well-delivered corner, igniting hope for Los Leones.
Despite Athletic’s strong start, Atletico found their rhythm just before halftime. A late cross from Giuliano Simeone reached Sorloth, who struggled to generate enough power to beat goalkeeper Unai Simon, remaining largely untested until then. As Atletico’s forwards continued to challenge, the match saw Athletic maintaining a slight advantage without fully capitalizing.
Alex Baena and Alexander Sorloth Find Their Rhythm
Diego Simeone’s squad came out strong after the break. A pass from Baena found Griezmann, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to score, putting Atletico in the lead just ten minutes into the second half.
Shortly after, Pablo Barrios made an impactful return, stealing the ball in midfield and linking up with Sorloth for a second goal in a matter of minutes. Barrios impressed until he exited the game just after, cutting short his first start in over a month.
Atletico’s offensive quality was apparent compared to the first half, while Athletic struggled to regain their earlier form. The final 20 minutes saw Athletic trying to assert themselves, but they lacked the sharpness needed to convert their chances.
As the match approached stoppage time, Athletic remained hopeful but ultimately lacked the cutting edge, culminating in a late goal from Sorloth that seemed to secure the win. However, a last-minute goal from Guruzeta gave Athletic a brief glimmer of hope, though it arrived too late to alter the outcome.
Finally, Atletico secured a win in La Liga, allowing their fans to celebrate following their Copa del Rey disappointment. This victory ended a four-game losing streak and provided a first La Liga win since March 14. While Sorloth’s brace and Baena’s assists were bright spots, the performance did not fully restore the confidence needed for their upcoming European challenge.
For Athletic, coach Valverde had every reason to feel frustrated as his team failed to seize an opportunity that could have boosted their morale. As they returned to Bilbao empty-handed, concerns about relegation loomed larger.