Atlético Madrid is set to travel to Bilbao this weekend for an important matchup against Athletic Club in the fourth round of La Liga. This encounter comes on the heels of Atlético's impressive 3-1 victory over Sevilla last weekend, which has boosted their confidence as they look to secure consecutive away wins.
Historically, Atlético has had the upper hand in recent encounters with Athletic, winning six of their last ten meetings. Their most recent clash occurred in April, where goals from Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sørloth led Atlético to a narrow 3-1 triumph over Los Leones.
As they prepare for this weekend's game, Atlético Madrid will aim to control the pace early on, which is crucial for stifling Athletic's momentum. Under the guidance of new manager Edin Terzić, Athletic Club has had a rocky start to the season, securing just one win in three matches. They suffered heavy defeats against Sevilla and Barcelona, conceding five goals in total, although they managed to bounce back with a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo last week, thanks to goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Key players for Athletic, such as Álex Berenguer and the Williams brothers, have displayed moments of individual brilliance, and Atlético will need to remain vigilant to prevent these talents from influencing the match. The stakes are high for both teams as they seek to establish momentum early in the season.
In terms of team news, Atlético Madrid made headlines as the transfer window closed earlier this week. The club finalized a loan deal for Canadian forward Jonathan David from Juventus, marking their fifth new signing of the summer transfer window. Additionally, veteran defender Josema Giménez was sent out on loan to Deportivo de A Coruña. In a twist of events, Julian Alvarez, who had been the subject of transfer speculation, has opted to stay with Atlético and will be included in the squad for the upcoming match.
Another notable development is that Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international duty with Spain, focusing entirely on his club career. The 31-year-old midfielder recently celebrated a World Cup victory with Spain in July, allowing him to exit international football on a high note.
As for Atlético's predicted starting XI for the match against Athletic Club, fans can expect to see Jan Oblak in goal, supported by a defensive line featuring Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, and Grimaldo. The midfield will likely consist of Giuliano, Barrios, and Hjulmand, while the attack will be spearheaded by Lookman, Kang-in Lee, and Baena. With a solid lineup and a desire to build on their recent success, Atlético Madrid will be looking to make a statement in this crucial La Liga encounter.
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