Previews
MIÉ 20.04.2016
Team News:
-Athletic Club: Aymeric Laporte, Aritz Aduriz and Sabin Merino (all injured)
-Atletico Madrid: Tiago and Jose Maria Gimenez (both injured)
Match Facts:
Athletic (5th, 54 pts):
-Europe in sight: a fierce fight is ongoing for the European spots. Ernesto Valverde's troops begin the matchday in fifth, but cannot afford to slip up, with RC Celta and Sevilla FC looming in their rear-view mirrors, one and five points behind respectively. A win would be enough for the Basques to mathematically clinch qualification for the Europa League next season; what's more, if they triumph and Villarreal CF lose at the Bernabéu, Athletic would move to within three points of the final Champions League berth.
-Gorka Iraizoz: the goalkeeper goes into the clash with the Colchoneros after one of his best periods of the season. He produced a superb display in Malaga at the weekend, racking up his 12th clean sheet of the campaign and a second in a row. Atletico are sure to pose a stern test, however, with Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres both flying at present.
-A special encounter for Raul Garcia: after spending a significant chunk of his career at Atletico, now he will be going up against them. It will be an emotional night for the midfielder on Wednesday, as was the case for the return fixture at the Calderon. The Spain international will be looking to rise to the occasion just like he has in recent games following the injury to Aritz Aduriz – it was the 29-year-old's goal that secured the three points last matchday in Malaga.
Atletico (2nd, 76 pts):
-It is nip and tuck in the Liga BBVA title race, with three teams poised within a point and just five matchdays left to see who will be crowned champions. Each and every one of their five remaining games could be make-or-break for Diego Simeone's troops. The trip to San Mames is the toughest fixture in their run-in, at least on paper – they follow it up by hosting Malaga CF and Rayo Vallecano, then travelling to Levante UD, before rounding off at home to RC Celta.
-History on their side: Atletico were the first away team to run out victorious at the new San Mames, in a 2014 Copa del Rey clash. On top of that, Simeone's team have also fared well at the stadium in the Liga BBVA, having won on both of their league visits since the Bilbao giants moved to their new home (2-1 in 2013/14 and 4-1 in 2014/15). The pressure is on them to keep up this perfect record.
We are in Bilbao! It’s time to rest to prepare tomorrow’s match against @AthleticClub. #GoAtleti #AthleticAtleti pic.twitter.com/KryOnBuLWW
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) April 19, 2016
-Koke in top form: the playmaker is posting some sensational stats. After setting up a goal last time out, the number 6 leads the Liga BBVA for assists, with 13. The academy graduate has had a direct hand in five of his side's 11 goals in April, scoring two and laying on three. Will he continue this hot streak at San Mames?
Don't leave Bilbao without… heading to the Azkuna Zentroa culture and sports centre. A revamped former wine warehouse, it offers a wide range of food and leisure options, representing one of the most flavourful destinations in the city. In a nutshell, it is a bustling, innovative space where there is never any shortage of fun things to do.
Getting to San Mames
Rafael Moreno Pitxitxi Kalea, 48013 Bilbao (Vizcaya).
Metro: Lines 1 and 2.
Bus: 26, 38, 56, 62 and 80.
Stadium location here.
Time: 20:45 CET
Stadium: San Mames
Referee: Martinez Munuera, Juan
TV: Watch the game in your country
Hashtag: #ATHvATM
© LALIGA - 2016