Atlético de Madrid - Athletic Club

Atlético de Madrid 2-Athletic Club 1

Athletic Club lost 2-1 to  Atlético de Madrid. The goals, all scored during the second half, were scored by Falcao, on two occasions, and by Javi Martínez for our team during injury time.

The game lacked goal-scoring opportunities in the first half, with a team well-positioned but blunt in attack. In the second half, after a slow start, and with a clear disadvantage on the scoreboard, the Athletic Club reaction was just as late as it was insufficient in order to equalize the affair. At the end of the game, besides the self-criticism made by our coach for the substitutions made throughout the clash, the negative aspect of the game should also be pointed out which was the blow to Amorebieta’s nose and the fifth yellow card shown to San José, which will prevent him from playing for Marcelo Bielsa in next Sunday’s match at 18:00 against Sporting at San Mamés, a match in which Iraola can be counted on.

We must congratulate Atlético de Madrid for winning a match that had some dubious plays that the referee in his difficult job did not consider infractions. At the end of the day, it’s our third defeat in a row in a competition of consistency, marked on this occasion by the cold, the rain at times, and the known sporting chants of the local fans, with the traditional throwing of additional balls so as to exteriorize the joy felt due to the favourable match result.

A visit with not much of a positive side to it, except perhaps the difference of specific goals in favour, and we hope that our next visit to this field, 25 May – the Copa final; will offer something more to celebrate.