Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano this Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET, marking one of the most anticipated fixtures of the La Liga season. Both teams come off strong recent performances, framing this matchup as pivotal for their quests for La Liga supremacy.
Atletico Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, currently occupies third place, vying closely with Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the table. Last weekend, Los Colchoneros reinforced their momentum by thrashing Valencia 3-0, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches, which includes two victories and three draws. The team's defensive resilience remains notable, having conceded only 16 goals this season, the best record in La Liga.
Conversely, Athletic Bilbao, now under the stewardship of Ernesto Valverde, stands fourth after scoring one of the season's most commanding victories—a 7-1 drubbing of Real Valladolid. This result marked their biggest end of the campaign and extended their unbeaten league run to 16 matches. The success has not only uplifted the team but also demonstrated their attacking prowess, mainly attributed to the efforts of the Williams brothers, Niko and Iñaki, who were pivotal during the rout.
Historically, Atletico has held the upper hand against Athletic Bilbao, boasting 29 wins out of the last 53 encounters. Despite Athletic's persistent challenges on the road, they remain unbeaten against Atletico over the last four La Liga matches. This persistence, tempered against Atletico's home record, makes for compelling viewing as the two sides prepare to battle it out.
For this match, Atletico will miss key players such as Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke due to injuries, creating tactical adjustments for Simeone. On the other side, Athletic may face worrying personnel issues with uncertainties surrounding players Yuri Berchiche and Nico Williams, both categorized as doubtful entering the clash.
The expected starting eleven for Atletico features Jan Oblak, known for his goalkeeping stability; defenders Nahuel Molina, Clément Lenglet, and Javi Galan; midfielders Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul; with forwards spearheaded by Antoine Griezmann and the impressive Julian Alvarez, who has been turning heads with his remarkable scoring performances this season.
Athletic's probable lineup includes Unai Simon as their goalkeeper, with defenders Aitor Paredes and Oscar De Marcos set to manage Atletico's prolific attacks, plus forwards Oihan Sancet, also having contributed significantly to their scoring tally.
Match history also reveals intriguing patterns, with Atletico standing undefeated against Athletic at home during Simeone’s tenure, with 11 wins and two draws across 13 encounters at Metropolitano. Such statistics paint Atletico as the clear favorites, likely leveraging their home advantage. Yet, the competitive edge seen within Athletic's current form, particularly following their recent scoring flurry, indicates they mustn’t be written off lightly.
With both teams knowing victory would not only provide valuable points but also contribute to long-term confidence, anticipation brews around what promises to be an enthralling encounter. Further heightening the stakes is the chase for the championship title, with Athletic trailing Atletico by just six points, hinting at both teams’ desperation to pull off the win for claimed bragging rights.
Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez's contributions have been ever more pronounced. His entrance from the bench has often turned the tide for Atletico, making him one of their most valuable assets this season. The Argentinian forward, adaptable and proficient, continues to sharpen his standing both within his club and on the international stage.
Overall, as both teams prepare to face off, the match encapsulates not just tactical prowess but also the essence of what makes Spanish football riveting—the chase for glory, the cushion against loss, and the deep-rooted rivalry sourced from historical contests.
Football fans and bettors alike will be watching closely; predictions vary, but many expect 1-1 might mirror the competitive nature expected during the showdown.
This clash is more than just about points; it's about pride, history, and the power of football to enthrall supporters week after week.