Athletic 2-Athletic 1 | Atlético threatens but lacks a shot

Atlético fell to Athletic in a match where they deserved to score. Cholo's men conceded a goal as soon as they started and another in the final stretch of the match. In the second half he besieged his rival, managed to equalize the clash but a goal from a set piece by Íñigo Martínez ended up defeating him. Atlético continues to lead, but Barcelona can overtake them if they win their postponed match. Atlético made a great effort to equalize, but they missed the mark in the final meters. El Cholo put all his arsenal in the last half hour, but it was not enough. The Madrid team failed in the areas: they did not hit the rival's and they failed in their own.

Atlético, except for Felipe's entry for Giménez, played with the same team that beat Huesca, although Simeone already had Luis Suárez, João Félix and Lemar at his disposal. Those of Cholo put a 4-3-3 in contention, with the new trident, Llorente, Correa and Carrasco, ready to create danger and score. Athletic, meanwhile, jumped onto the pitch with some of the less common, with a lead made up of Sancet and Villalibre. Marcelino decided to refresh the team in search of physically fit people. The game took on a different caliber than what could be thought with the early goal of Berenguer, in the first arrival of the Bilbao team. Athletic stole in the middle of the field and their players came out like arrows to attack. They were lucky in that the rebound favored the culmination of the play, but it was a well-crafted action, a prelude to what Marcelino's team was going to do. Not even ten minutes had passed and Atlético was already behind. A Madrid team that could draw instantly, but Carrasco's header was stopped well by the local goalkeeper.

Atlético found the band of Trippier and Marcos Llorente to hurt their rival. That was where Llorente penetrated a couple of times, but he had to find an auctioneer. In the other band they had more problems to enter both Lodi and Carrasco, also very demanded in defense. Atlético locked their rival behind, but Athletic never felt overwhelmed. Correa was able to make one of the goals of the championship, as he made a trademark maneuver of the house, but his shot went wide on this occasion. If Atlético had the ball, possession and command, Athletic gave their game enormous speed, the locals aware that every time they went out they caused damage. Villalibre, stumbling, took a ball after half an hour, but Oblak got the shot well. Athletic triangulated with criteria, despite the speed it imposed on all its actions.

The second half was very different, with Atlético already turned against the rival goal and creating danger, for which they had to give the game much more speed. The Madrilenians opened the field well and had ten minutes where they had chances from Llorente, Correa and Carrasco. Athletic no longer felt so comfortable and survived the Cholo's siege as best they could. However, Sancet had the clearest opportunity in a dizzying counter, but the forward's shot went high. It could have been 2-0 and the finishing touch to the game. At the time of the meeting, the Atlético coach put all his artillery into the fray with the entry of João Félix, Lemar and Luis Suárez. Llorente took his place on the right side and the leader continued to open the field, with João Félix and Lemar coming down to receive and Luis Suárez ready to finish off. Atlético tried again and again, with Carrasco overflowing and Suárez not taking advantage of the Belgian's gift.

Atlético deserved the draw and achieved it in strategic action. He had chances to score and did so on a corner kick with Savic winning the passing game. With a quarter of an hour ahead, the leader found a prize, although he sought victory. But the joy did not last long in the rojiblanco team, since Athletic also scored on a corner kick. Íñigo Martínez made it 2-1 jumping over all his rivals. The goal left the three points at home and puts the Madrid team against the ropes.