Match Pack: Atlético de Madrid vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD22)

Athletic Club go to the Cívitas Metropolitano in good form after beating Valencia at Mestalla. The Lions have won their last two matches and are now just one point off the European places.

Atletico will provide a stern test for Athletic, Diego Simeone's side undefeated in LaLiga since a 0-1 loss to FC Barcelona in January.

Los Colchoneros also announced that, as a tribute to their parent club and in celebration of Athletic's 125th anniversary, they would let the Lions play in red and white at the Metropolitano.

Match Info
Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club (Matchday 22)

Cívitas Metropolitano (Madrid)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Sunday February 19, 18:30 CET

How to Watch
LaLiga TV operators and kick-off times around the world to make sure you don't miss the match.

Team News
Valverde has named a 22-man squad for the clash

In terms of absences, centre-back Iñigo Martínez is out with a heel injury, centre-mid Ander Herrera has a hamstring strain, and Ander Capa injured his adductor muscles in training on Saturday.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with everything the gaffer had to say ahead of the clash

The Opponents

Head coach: Diego Simeone
The Argentinian coach has been in charge at Atletico Madrid since December 2011. Since then Los Colchoneros have won two LaLiga titles, a Copa del Rey, two Europa Leagues and finished runners-up in the Champions League twice.

Top scorer: Álvaro Morata
Atlético's tall striker has seven goals in 21 LaLiga appearances so far this season. Morata started his professional career at Real Madrid. In 2014/15 he signed for Juventus before moving back to Real Madrid ahead of the 2016/17 season.

The following yearhe moved to Chelsea. After a season and half in London, Morata moved to Atlético Madrid on loan, a deal which was later made permanent.

Then in September 2020, Álvaro rejoined Juventus, this time on loan, spending a couple of seasons in Turin before returning to Atlético.

Recent form (LaLiga): DWWDW
Simeone's side are in a rich vein of form having not suffered defeat since losing 0-1 to league leaders FC Barcelona last month. In their last outing, Los Colchoneros beat Celta Vigo 0-1 at Balaidos, Depay Memphis scoring the only goal of the game.

Previous Meetings
The two sides have faced each other 171 times in LaLiga, their first meeting a 2-3 win for Athletic at the old Metropolitano in 1929. In total, Los Leones have won 63 matches, drawn 31 and lost the other 77.

 Away days against Atlético have proved difficult for Athletic over the years. From 85 matches, they've won 19, drawn 15 and suffered 51 defeats.

The last five fixtures show exactly how tough it is take points against Los Colchoneros on the road.

 The Zurigorri gave a good account of themselves in last season's edition of this fixture. They went toe-to-toe with Diego Simeone's side and could have taken all three points, Iñaki Williams and Asier Villalibre having great chances.