Top of the table Atletico Madrid visit San Mames on Saturday night, aiming to upset an Athletic Bilbao side who also won on the opening day of the new Primera Division season.
A solitary goal from Fernando Llorente was enough to see off the challenge of newly promoted Hercules in los Leones’ curtain raiser, and though it was hardly a scintillating performance, it was a showing that deserved maximum marks. Against Atleti this weekend, the bullish, physical Basques will have to raise their level once again.
“In San Mames we must be dogged, making it uncomfortable,” Javi Martinez explained to Marca. “We must stand up and go for them from the first minute. This is the base of our game, especially in an environment like we are going to see on Saturday.
“The game will be very difficult, but it will also serve to measure how we good we are.”
Llorente, meanwhile, wants Athletic to make a quick start against opponents he has pinpointed as being extremely dangerous. “We're going to create a lot of pressure and try to score early,” he affirmed. “Atletico have proved that they are capable of being serious and it seems that this year they will be a team who can get into the Champions League.”
After qualifying for the Europa League last term via a strong Primera Division finish, the aim for los Leones must be to match that achievement, and with the likes of Martinez and team-mate Markel Susaeta vocal in the media that Athletic have improved over the off-season, now is the time to prove it.
Aiming To Become A Third Force?
Only one match may have passed, but Atletico Madrid can sit contentedly atop of the Primera Division, staring down at the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. A stunning 4-0 home success against an admittedly fragile Sporting Gijon side kicked the season off perfectly for the capital men, with Diego Forlan’s brace sandwiched by efforts from Simao and the now departed Jurado.
Great praise was heaped on the side from several angles following that result, but coach Quique Sanchez Flores doesn’t want his troops to become complacent. “It's going to be a tough season,” he considered to the media after the opening game. “We must stand with our feet on the ground. I know how this world moves and how difficult it is. While some enjoy, I try to keep our feet on the ground. We are well aware of the reality and with great humility, hope that we can keep this energy, which is fundamental.”
The coach’s words have not stopped some of his players dreaming. “We want to be an alternative to Real Madrid and Barcelona, but last year they beat all scoring records so it will not be easy,” defender Alvaro Dominguez stated to the media. “We have to go game by game, not forgetting that our real competitors are the teams battling to enter the Champions League.”
Indeed, Dominguez believes los Colchoneros’ rearguard has come a long way in recent months. “We have improved a lot in defence and shown against bigger, taller teams such as Inter and Fulham so we are prepared for such matches,” the 21-year-old declared with reference to the weekend’s fixture.
Last term Atleti could be brilliant one week but terrible the next; a trend that does not meet well with success.
TEAM NEWS
Athletic
Gaizka Toquero suffered what was declared last week to be a “severe” ankle strain, though he has been training with the side and has not been ruled out of the weekend’s fixture yet.
Igor Gabilondo, Pablo Orbaiz and Mikel San Jose should be passed fit but Koikili and Iker Muniain are liable to miss out due to injuries.
Probable Starting XI: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe; Gurpegui, Orbaiz, Martinez, Susaeta; Toquero, Llorente
Atletico
At least one change will be required in the starting XI as Jurado has been allowed to leave for Schalke.
Fran Merida is definitely out with a muscular problem while Tomas Ujfalusi is doubtful due to tendonitis.
Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godin, Lopez; Reyes, Assuncao, Raul Garcia, Simao; Forlan, Aguero
Prediction
Teams don’t simply stroll to San Mames and pick up three points – even the Barcelonas and Real Madrids of this world. Atletico Madrid were also characterised by chronic inconsistency last season, so there’s every chance that they could turn in a vastly different performance from last Monday. Confidence is high in los Rojiblancos’ camp, but Athletic Bilbao should be considered favourites to outmuscle their weekend guests.
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Atletico Madrid 
