Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid Match Preview
Saturday's late game will have Diego Forlan's Atletico traveling to Bilbao to take on Athletic. The Colchoneros are leading the positions table thanks to goal advantage and are still over-stimulated by the conquest of the UEFA Super Cup. South Africa's most valuable player Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero are once again the leaders of this team, whose ferocity appears to be unrivaled in La Liga. The Cathedral will host one of the hottest matches of the round, as Athletic has always been stronger when playing home. Tomas Ujfalusi's almost confirmed absence might compromise Atletico's defense at San Mames, but this might be balanced by Raul Garcia's return to the fields, relieved from an injury in his right ankle. Team's goalkeeper Joel Robles might take over David De Gea's position between the posts, for he's with Spain's U-21 National Football Team at the moment. He'll be looking forward to secure the three points in Bilbao. He might be lacking experience, but his credentials to occupy his position are widely known.
"We're aware we'll have to do a very good job to win against Atletico. They'll be unstoppable for their beginning, but we're too building a momentum. We need to show from the first minute on that we want to be strong at home and we need to secure the points at the San Mames" said Andoni Iraola. Athletic's loose victory over Sporting during two weeks ago fed both the players and the crowds with anxiety and desire for more, and the first victory home is always important. With Koikili Lertxundi and Gaizka Toquero missing the match strugg
Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid Match Report
Some fans were anxious by Colchonero's visit to San Mames, but thanks to Diego Forlan and Tiago every shadow of a doubt regarding the strengths of the Rojiblancos was dispelled, and the top belongs only to them for the moment. Atletico overwhelmed the local team and from the 10th minute on had the match on its hand. In 13 matches against Athletic, Forlan has scored 12 goals, and his efficiency will surely be the main weapon in Quique Sanchez Flores' squad. Sergio Aguero, mentor of the first goal, was substituted on the 35th minute of the first half after receiving a strong blow by Undiano. The referee should have called for a penalty kick, but this might have been his only error in the 90 minutes. Atletico players only needed to keep the ball on its feet to secure the game, and the second goal came at the 80th minute thanks to Tiago.
A third of fourth goal could have been scored by either Diego Costa or Raul Garcia, but it was Fernando Llorente who gave adrenaline to the last minutes of the game by scoring on minute 88th. Diego Godin and David De Gea were the cornerstone of Colchonero's defense. The lions starved against Atletico, who is growing week after week. "Our players have made us better" were Atletico's coach declarations regarding this match.
