Atlético disengages Athletic from the Champions League

The seasoned devil, Atleti, knows more due to its age rather than its devilish nature. Just like a wise onion who imparts stories of war and trenches to his grandson, Atleti boasts a rich history and experience. However, the grandson, preoccupied with his cell phone, fails to grasp the significance of these tales. Yet, one should pay heed to the wisdom that comes with longevity, as evidenced by Atleti’s remarkable 11-year streak in the Champions League. Victory and a secure fourth place finish are almost assured.

Simeone adopted a strategy reminiscent of trench warfare against Athletic Bilbao, utilizing a defensively compact 5-4-1 formation instead of their usual 5-3-2 setup. Correa supported Molina on the right flank, while Llorente played a similar role on the left. Athletic’s initial attempts, spearheaded by Iñaki Williams, were not entirely successful.

The defensive leaks had to be plugged, and Simeone devised a plan to fortify Atlético’s defense. They had conceded goals in 12 consecutive games, and this 13th goal against them prompted the Argentine manager to employ a more conservative approach. Now Oblak, the Slovenian goalkeeper, would have to turn around and fetch the ball from their own net. This season has been Atlético’s worst defensively since Simeone’s arrival, with 64 goals conceded.

At the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Morata and Griezmann provided the team with goals. However, Morata was on the bench after recovering from the excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia, while Griezmann struggled to find his usual form. In an unintended assist, Griezmann inadvertently set up Iñaki Williams for Athletic’s equalizing goal. The Basque striker took a moment to appreciate the gift before passing it to Guruzeta, who duly drilled the ball past Oblak.

In an act of poetic justice, the youngest Williams sibling pointed to his skin in front of the Frente Atlético stands. Just minutes earlier, he had been subjected to racist chants while preparing to take a corner. This demonstration was a fitting response.

It was unexpected that Nico’s goal would be the equalizer. Atlético, particularly De Paul, had scored the first goal almost unintentionally. While De Paul may face criticism for his mistakes, his commitment and attitude are unparalleled. In just fifteen minutes, he recovered three balls, committed two fouls, received a yellow card, and scored a goal. It may have been fortunate, but it was a well-deserved stroke of luck.

Old Atleti sought to resist the youthful vigor of Athletic Bilbao. It was akin to the youth trying to eradicate the living room couch for a better TV view. Nevertheless, Los Leones proved to be a formidable opponent. Having recovered from their Cup hangover, which resulted in two draws, Valverde’s Athletic once again displayed their trademark speed, dynamism, and dominance.

But Grandpa had a few tricks up his sleeve. Koke, the sole survivor since Simeone’s arrival, provided a well-executed long pass to Correa, who managed to elude Unai Simón and secure the second goal for Atlético. Valverde, using his experience, introduced Muniain and Ander Herrera, two seasoned veterans, to counter Atlético’s old guard. Additionally, Berenger, the player who broke Atlético’s 28-game unbeaten streak at the Metropolitano, was also brought on.

Yet, as previously mentioned, the devil knows more due to its age than its devilish nature. Lino’s shot, following an impressive team play by Atlético, struck the post before ricocheting off Unai Simón and into the net. It was another blow to the lion, sealing the victory for Atlético and bidding farewell to the Bilbao faithful. At least they can take solace in their recent Cup triumph and their revelry continues.