Atlético, an impregnable fortress for Athletic
Since moving to the Metropolitano in 2017, Atlético de Madrid has turned its stadium into a real fortress for Athletic Club in La Liga. The Lions have not achieved victory in their visits to the Colchonero stronghold in the domestic championship.
In seven matches played at the Metropolitano, Athletic has only managed to salvage a draw, specifically in the 2021/22 season, while the remaining six ended with victories for Atlético. The difficulty for Athletic in defeating Atlético away extends to the old Vicente Calderón.
To find Athletic’s last league victory away from home against the Colchoneros, you have to go back to the 2010/11 season, when, with Quique Sánchez Flores on the opposing bench, the Bilbao team won 0-2 with a double from Gaizka Toquero.
Despite the negative streak in La Liga, Athletic does know what it’s like to beat Atlético away from home in other competitions. Just last year, in the Copa del Rey semifinals, the Vizcainos achieved a valuable minimal victory thanks to a penalty goal by Álex Berenguer. The challenge for Athletic is to replicate that level of competitiveness shown in the Cup to break Atlético’s unbeaten streak at their stadium and revive the fight for the top positions on the table.
