Athletic Bilbao Vs Atletico Madrid: Two Teams Injured In New Breath In San Mamés

Nico Williams is a young Athletic Bilbao star (photo: x @Athletic_en)

JAKARTA - Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid took to the stage Saturday night, December 6 with similar conditions: both injured, both need victory, and are both trapped in a series of results that do not match expectations. San Mamés, which usually thunders like a magnetic ocean, will be the arena of two teams seeking self-delaboration after being beaten by their respective opponents in the middle of the week.

Athletic Bilbao returned to the headline they didn't want after being hit by Real Madrid 3-0 at home. Mbappe appeared like a live cheat code, and Athletic's back line looked unprepared for the storm. Their season has so far been going like a classic car that broke down at the incline: there is power, but often stalled. They sit in eighth place in the standings with 20 points from 15 matches, 11 points adrift of Atletico who are in the top four.

The journey in the Champions League is even more gloomy, just four points from five games, leaving them scattered at the bottom of the overall table. The key player's injury lefttai Valverde like a chef who ran out of key ingredients, but still had to serve premium dishes.

But San Mamés has always been a different terrain. Athletic has earned 13 points from eight home games this season, and it has been a capital against Atletico which has difficulty providing inspiration in away matches. Diego Simeone's team scored only eight goals in seven away games and won twice. Historically, this duel is always tight. From 210 meetings, Athletic won 79 times and Atletico won 96 times. Atletico won the last three duels, including the 1-0 win key at the same venue last season.

Atletico Madrid came in a sense of frustration. They brought seven wins in a row before being stopped by Barcelona with a score of 3-1. Hansi Flick closed their line of play with a neat tactics, and Atletico suddenly lost momentum. Now they are five points away from Real Madrid and only one point behind Villarreal. The top board is in meetings like a concert ticket queue, and every point is very valuable ahead of the winter break.

Simeone wants to close 2025 with a win over Athletics, Valencia, and Girona. On the sidelines, they also have a life-to-life duel in the Champions League against PSV in Eindhoven.

In terms of team conditions, Athletic lost Yeray Alvarez due to suspension. Robert Navarro, Unai Egiluz, Maroan Sannadi, and Benat Prados are still stuck in the treatment room. The good news is, Oihan Sancet returns from suspension and gives the spark of creativity they need. Inaki Williams' fate is still hanging because of a groin injury. If he is absent, Athletic attacks lose one of his most advanced weapons.

Atletico also came with physical problems. Le Normand and Marcos Llorente are doubtful. Alex Baena and Jonny Cardoso had to be checked after being pulled out against Barcelona. Simeone is likely to make a reshuffle, with Koke and Gallagher ready to fill the midfield, while Alexander Sorloth is likely to spearhead again.

The atmosphere may be hot, but this match seems to be tight and tends to be minimal goals. Athletics have power at home, but Atletico usually know very well how to win games that rely on small details. When two teams get injured meeting, sometimes the ones that appear are pragmatic matches, not attack parties.

This collision could be a turning point for one of the two, and Atletico's narrow win could potentially send them back to the race for the title with more stable confidence.

Estimates of the composition of the Athletic Bilbao: Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Laporte, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sancet, Nico Williams; Guruzeta Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Hancko; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher; Sorloth, Alvarez

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Atletico Madrid