Athletic Face Atletico
Athletic Bilbao host unbeaten Atletico Madrid at San Mames in a high-stakes La Liga fixture.
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Key Points
1
Marcos Llorente, 31, recently announced his retirement from international football with Spain; he remains an important player for Diego Simeone at club level and will now focus on Atletico’s domestic and European campaigns.
2
Alex Baena has emerged as Atletico’s most decisive attacking player early in the season, contributing directly to goals in each of the club’s first three league rounds.
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Athletic Bilbao were one of only two clubs in Europe’s top five leagues to make no summer signings, reflecting the club’s strict recruitment policy and leaving Edin Terzic under pressure to improve the existing squad.
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Athletic’s two defeats came against Barcelona and Sevilla, while their only victory was a 2-0 away win at Celta Vigo; the results have intensified the need for greater consistency at San Mames.
Atlético Madrid will travel to San Mamés on Saturday for a Matchday 4 showdown against Athletic Bilbao, looking to extend their unbeaten start. Yahoo Sports reports that Atlético sit third with seven points after two wins and a draw, while Bilbao struggle with one win and two losses, desperately seeking consistency under manager Edin Terzic.
The clash pits a disciplined Atlético attack against a leaky Bilbao defense that has conceded five goals in just three matches. The Football Faithful notes the match kicks off at 3:15pm BST on Saturday, September 5th, and will be available to U.S. viewers on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select.
Atlético's Attack Led by Lookman Without Sorloth
Atlético Madrid will deploy Ademola Lookman as their main attacking threat with Alexander Sorloth sidelined by a muscle injury. Yahoo Sports reports that Kang-In Lee and Alex Baena will support Lookman, with Baena emerging as the team's most decisive attacking player early in the season. Baena has contributed directly to goals in each of Atlético's first three league rounds.
Marcos Llorente Retires From International Duty
Thirty-one-year-old Marcos Llorente recently announced his retirement from international football with Spain, Yahoo Sports confirms. The midfielder remains a crucial player for Diego Simeone at club level. Llorente will now focus exclusively on Atlético's domestic league and European campaigns, freeing up mental energy for club football.
Bilbao's Recruitment Crisis Under Terzic's Management
Athletic Bilbao were one of only two clubs in Europe's top five leagues to make zero summer signings, Yahoo Sports reports. This strict recruitment policy leaves manager Edin Terzic under intense pressure to improve results with an unchanged squad. Bilbao's two defeats came against Barcelona and Sevilla, with their only victory a 2-0 away win at Celta Vigo, highlighting an urgent need for home consistency.
Key Absences Plague Both Squads Heading Into Battle
Yahoo Sports indicates that both teams will be without important players. Bilbao are missing key defenders and the midfield reinforcements they desperately need. Atlético's absences are fewer but still significant given their attacking depth challenges with Sorloth out. The absence of reinforcements for either side means Saturday's match will likely hinge on tactical execution and existing squad depth.
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