Atlético de Madrid - Athletic Club

Athletic Club lost 2-1 against LaLiga Santander leaders Atlético Madrid, bringing the Lions’ eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions to an end.

The final result did not reflect the story of the match. Athletic dominated the affair and deserved more from the game. 

The Lions took the lead via captain Iker Muniain, but Marcos Llorente equalised just before half-time and Luis Suárez converted from the penalty spot after the break to see the home side win all three points.

After ten minutes of initial dominance by Atlético, the Lions went on the rampage for half an hour at the Wanda. Athletic controlled the match and were rewarded for their efforts in the 21st minute, with striker Iñaki Williams cutting it back from the byline for Iker Muniain to finish past Jan Oblak.

Atlético barely had a sniff at goal in the first half, their only chances two Yannick Carrasco efforts which Unai Simon dealt with easily.

There were moments in which Athletic’s precise attacking play left Los Colchoneros stunned. But Atlético equalised against the run of play in the first-half stoppage-time.

Thomas Lemar found Marcos Llorente with a cross, and there was nothing Símon could do when the midfielder’s header took a deflection off Unai Nuñez. 

The Athletic players protested as the given stoppage time had already expired and it seemed the match official had already signalled for half-time before the goal was scored.

Forward Raúl García had a chance to re-establish Athletic’s lead after the break, but couldn’t make it count.

Atlético took the lead in the 51st minute. Unai Nuñez tripped Luis Suárez in the box and the Uruguayan converted from the spot.

The Lions gave it their all to get back into the match, but couldn’t find a way past a stubborn, deep-lying Atlético defence.

Nuñez almost made amends in injury-time when he got a head to Alex Berenguer‘s delivery from the left, but the centre-back could only steer the ball into Oblak’s hands.

There’s no time for regrets, Athletic are back on the road this Sunday as they head to Galicia to face Celta Vigo at Balaídos.