By Goal.com News on Saturday, 18 September 2021
Category: Goal.com News

LIVE: Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Club

21' A reckless high-footed challenge from Kondogbia offers Athletic a useful set-piece opportunity 30 yards from goal, but they cannot capitalise on the chance and the home side clear their lines.

19' They have made a bright start today, but Athletic have failed to win in their last seven league games in Madrid, since a 1-0 victory against Leganes in April 2019.

17' Another corner for Athletic is thrown high into the area, but Garcia is penalised for an apparently over-aggressive attempt to win the ball aerially.

15' SO CLOSE! Griezmann gets the ball stuck under his feet when presented with a great chance from close range, so his weak shot is easily hacked clear just in front of the line by Balenziaga. With a better first touch, Atleti could be leading.

13' Another testing cross from the visitors is glanced clear by Savic's head. Athletic are growing into the game and are causing some consternation at the back for the champions.

11' Simeone indicates his frustration, as an ambitious cross-field ball fails to find the run of Trippier and Atletico concede possession.

9' Athletic have their first corner, from the right, but Muniain's out-swinging cross is headed clear by Hermoso at full stretch.

8' Garcia is unfortunate not to latch onto a cross from deep on the right, as his run is just short; allowing the ball to drift harmlessly to safety.

6' Simon collects calmly after Savic heads tamely into the ground from just inside the box, following the game's first corner-kick.

4' The hosts are largely on top in the opening few minutes, and Llorente earns a corner on the right-hand side as his cross is blocked.

2' An early half-chance is spurned by Atletico, as Griezmann's left-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box goes just wide of Simon's near post.

1' We are under way at the Metropolitano!

The players are lined up and ready to start proceedings in Madrid.

Second-half goals from Dani Vivian and Inaki Williams saw Athletic record a 2-0 victory over Mallorca at San Mames last time out, and today Williams reaches 200 consecutive La Liga appearances - becoming only the second player to acheive that feat of consistency, after Jon Andoni Larranaga (202).

At home, Atletico remain unbeaten in La Liga against Athletic under Simeone, who has overseen nine wins and a draw versus the Basque side since taking the reins in Madrid. However, today's hosts have won just two of their last five league meetings between the clubs in all - after winning nine of their previous 11.

SUBS: Ander Capa, Oier Zarraga, Nico Williams, Unai Nunez, Mikel Vesga, Alex Petxarroman Eizagirre, Jon Morcillo, Jokin Ezkieta, Asier Villalibre, Oscar De Marcos.

ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-4-2): Unai Simon; Mikel Balenziaga, Inigo Martínez, Dani Vivian, Inigo Lekue; Alex Berenguer, Dani Garcia, Unai Vencedor, Iker Muniain; Raul Garcia, Inaki Williams.

SUBS: Matheus Cunha, Ivan Saponjic, Sime Vrsaljko, Felipe, Joao Felix, Yannick Carrasco, Luis Suarez, Hector Herrera, Benjamin Lecomte.

ATLETICO MADRID (3-5-2): Jan Oblak; Jose Gimenez, Mario Hermoso, Stefan Savic; Renan Lodi, Rodrigo de Paul, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Marcos Llorente, Kieran Trippier; Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa.

After registering a 2-1 victory over Espanyol last time out in the league - with goals from Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Lemar securing another three points - today's hosts were in Champions League action on Wednesday night; opening their group-stage campaign with a goalless draw at home to Porto.

Atleti will be seeking to continue their strong start to the 2021-22 La Liga campaign today, as Diego Simeone's side have picked up 10 points from their opening four matches to sit third in the early table. Meanwhile, Athletic occupy fifth, having posted a total of eight points from their first four fixtures.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao from the Metropolitano!

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