It’s make-or-break time for Atletico Madrid as its chances of a top-four finish in La Liga will be tested by Athletic Bilbao
Atletico Madrid’s chances of securing a top-four finish in La Liga this season could suffer a serious dent should the club fall at home to table rival Athletic Bilbao in Spain’s capital on Saturday. Los Leones will make the trip to the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano sat in fifth place but only three points below Atleti in what will be the last remaining spot to be awarded Champions League qualification for next term. Ernesto Valverde has been a revelation at the Athletic helm and has already guaranteed a place in the Europa League after leading the club to Copa del Rey glory, but a climb above Atletico would be the real icing on the cake.
How to Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao Today
Game Date: April 27, 2024
Game Time: 3 p.m. ET
Game Venue: Estadio Civitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
TV: ESPN Deportes (Puerto Rico)
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That possibility became all the more real after Los Rojiblancos surrendered 2-0 at Alaves in their last outing almost one week ago.
Only a few days after being knocked out of this year’s Champions League quarter-finals by Borussia Dortmund, Diego Simeone’s men made an unsavory return to domestic duties.
And Alaves excelled thanks to a 92nd-minute golazo from Luis Rioja, who displayed perfect technique while sealing a 2-0 victory in injury time:
Atletico hasn’t suffered three straight defeats in all competitions since December 2021, but that’s all of a sudden plausible against opposition to whom it can’t afford to give up points.
Despite any wobbles this campaign, however, Simeone’s side remain one of the most effective home performers in La Liga, with only leader Real Madrid having picked up more points on familiar soil.
Barcelona is the only outfit that has won at the Metropolitano so far this league campaign, though one more team has also bested Los Rojiblancos at their own ground: Athletic.
It was Valverde’s men who ousted Atleti from the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 triumph back in February, not to mention having already beaten the same side in La Liga this season.
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