Athletic missed their chance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano
They were on top of their game until half-time, going in with a goal from Paredes, but a poor start to the second half saw them lose 3-2
Athletic fail to make the breakthrough they were hoping for at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. They lost 3-2 to Atlético de Madrid after a strong first half in which they took the lead through a superb header from Paredes, but the team became vulnerable after the restart, conceding two goals in the opening quarter of an hour. In stoppage time, Sorloth and Guruzeta sealed the final and painful 3-2 scoreline.
This setback means they must continue to look both up and down the table, with an immediate derby at Mendizorroza. And yet Athletic started the match as they should have and soon created danger through a move involving an in-form Guruzeta, which was stopped by Oblak just as Paredes was there to tap in.
Athletic were not struggling. In fact, they were dictating the pace of the game. Paredes, with a superb header, made it 0-1 following a corner taken by Galarreta. There was a chance to make it 0-2 on the counter-attack, whilst Simón was only really tested by a clear-cut chance from Sorloth.
After the break, within five minutes, Baena set up Griezmann and Sorloth twice, who turned the match on its head in the blink of an eye.
Athletic fought against the tide and conceded the decisive goal while pushing forward in stoppage time, although Guruzeta headed Rego’s measured cross into the net with no time left to do anything else. Even in that, the Lions have had no luck in what has been a very difficult year. It’s time to approach the derby against Osasuna as if it were a final.
