Atlético de Madrid

Athletic denied by the woodwork at the Metropolitano

Athletic hit the woodwork three times in the last 15 minutes as their 16-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat in Madrid

Athletic' Clubs incredible 16-match unbeaten run in LaLiga came to an end against Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.

A solitary goal from Julián Álvarez was enough to defeat a spirited Athletic side at the Metropolitano.

Beñat Prados and Iñaki Williams hit the frame within seconds of each other, the former with a header and the latter with a strike off the rebound.

The ball just didn't want to cross the line. It was an important match and both sides, with some help from the rain, started anxiously.

Robin Le Normand threated with an header that went over the bar, but the big chance of the first half was Athletic's. Dani Vivian stole possession and played in Iñaki, who couldn't beat an onrushing Jan Oblak.

Athletic had two more chances before the break. Iñaki hit the side netting and Alex Berenguer shot straight at Oblak.

The Zurigorri had the upper hand and it seemed the night might go their way. Berenguer went close again after being set up by Andoni Gorosabel.

Diego Simeone made three changes in one go and shortly after Marcos Llorente and Julián Álvarez combined to catch the Athletic defence off guard to get the only goal of the game.

Then came the three strikes against the woodwork. First Beñat and then Iñaki in the 75th minute. Not long later, an Iñaki effort took a wicked deflection, leaving Oblak for dead, before rattling the crossbar.

It wasn't our night. Now it's time to focus on Rome. Let's go, Lehoiak.