Uninspired Atletico slumps to 2-0 defeat at Athletic

It remains fourth on 61 points, three behind second-placed Sevilla, which was held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation-threatened Cadiz.

Published : May 01, 2022 09:25 IST

Athletic Bilbao players applaud their fans after the triumph against Athletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid's hopes of finishing second in LaLiga and securing a spot in the next Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia took a blow as it lost 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

It remains fourth on 61 points, three behind second-placed Sevilla, which was held to a 1-1 home draw by relegation-threatened Cadiz on Friday, and two off third-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand and hosts lowly Mallorca on Sunday.

Coach Diego Simeone's worries are not just about a Super Cup spot as Atletico are only four points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, who have a game in hand and visit Getafe on Monday.

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Only LaLiga's top-four go into the Champions League.

On a day highlighted by Real Madrid's title celebrations, after it had earlier won 4-0 at home to Espanyol, an uninspired Atletico were dominated by the host.

Athletic, which is now eighth on 51 points, went ahead in the eighth minute when defender Mario Hermoso deflected the ball into his own goal from a cross-shot by Inaki Williams.

Atletico, without its in-form forward Joao Felix for the rest of the season with a leg injury, were constantly threatened by Williams and Iker Muniain, being saved by the post once and by two great stops from goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

But Athletic scored a deserved second in the 56th with a penalty by Williams after Muniain was tripped by Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera. Williams netted with a 'Panenka' chip down the middle of the goal as Oblak fell to his left.