Athletic Bilbao crushed Atletico Madrid 3-0 on a poor Saturday afternoon for Diego Simeone’s team in La Liga.
AFP: Nico Williams, Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet scored to give the Basque hosts a stunning victory at their San Mamés stadium.
Athletic, who lost their first two league games this campaign, have now won two in a row under former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic.
Simeone’s Atletico suffered their first defeat of the season and showed little fight after Athletic broke the deadlock with two swift scores from Williams and Navarro.
“We got hit hard with their two goals in a blink,” Atletico’s Pablo Barrios told Movistar.
Atletico will have to pick themselves up for Wednesday’s trip to play Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield.
“We had two minutes of inattentiveness and decision-making in situations we should have been better at,” remarked Simeone. Bilbao took advantage of that lapse.
Striker Julian Alvarez, who attempted to quit the club to join Barcelona this summer, returned from illness as a substitute in an unimpressive second-half cameo.
The visitors just about shaded the opening session but beyond an early chance for Lee Kang-In they did not create many clear-cut opportunities.
The hosts were cut open and the South Korea international blasted a shot against the post in the third minute.
Atletico had an opportunity, but Alex Baena was stopped by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, and at the other end, Sancet’s shot went into the side netting.
Pablo Barrios hit the post before half-time for Atletico, who were caught cold early in the second half by Terzic’s side.
Athletic’s first was from the Williams brothers, with Nico heading home a deflected shot from his older sibling Inaki after 46 minutes.
Navarro then doubled Athletic’s advantage in the 48th minute, guiding home after being set up by Inaki Williams.
“We played well in the first half but the match escaped us in those minutes,” remarked Simeone.
“We didn’t have the same second half we had in the first half.
Simeone made substitutions, including putting on want-away striker Alvarez to little effect.
The Argentina international had a quiet game, managing only one attempt from the edge of the box which was comfortably saved by Simon.
Sancet sealed Athletic’s win in the 90th minute with a close-range goal following a blocked pass.
‘It’s always nice to win games, especially at home,’ added Terzic.
We are happy today and we will be extremely satisfied when we go to sleep tonight and then from tomorrow we will prepare everything to go for the next (game).
“We’ve picked up six points in the last few games, but this isn’t going to get us to all of our targets at the end of the season.”
Barcelona, the La Liga leaders, face Valencia among other matchups as they attempt to extend their lead over Real Madrid, who lost 1-0 at Real Betis on Friday.
About the Author
