Atlético Madrid would look back with the feeling of two vital points lost as Diego Simeone’s team were unlucky to have had two goals wrongly disallowed and instead have to settle with one point, with fellow contenders Valencia now having the chance to cut the gap in the fight for third.
The result of today’s game piled more pressure on Atlético for the fight for the important automatic Champions League qualification spot, the team now sitting on 76 points and Valencia, with a game in hand, sitting on 69 points.
Apart from a header from San José in the opening minutes and long distance effort from Kike Sola, Atlético comfortably controlled and neutralized Bilbao offensively and looked the more likely side to win. Antoine Griezmann had thought he added to his 23 league goals in the season just before half-time, however, it was correctly ruled offside.
Early in the second-half, Simeone looked to try breaking the deadlock by bringing on Mario Mandžukić and Arda Turan, replacing Fernando Torres and Raúl García. The move proved to bring Atlético alive and soon after, two goals, from Griezmann and Tiago respectively, were ruled out for offside when both were clearly onside.
Though Bilbao went down to 10 men after Unai Bustinza fouled Saúl, Atlético could not get past an inspired Iago Herrerín in goals and thus having to settle for one point.
Outside90’s Michael La Riccia takes a look at the best individual performances on both sides of the pitch.
Atlético Madrid
Jan Oblak – 6: Game after game proving to be a great replacement for the departed Thibaut Courtois. Was not a busy afternoon for the goalkeeper, however, when called upon made superb saves to make sure Atlético would not concede a goal.
Juanfran – 5.5: Not his normal self in regards to adventuring forward, however defensively solid and dealt well Williams.
Miranda – 6.5: Solid and alongside Godín, limited the visitors to any possible chance
of breaking the deadlock.
Diego Godín – 6.5: Proving to be one of the best centre-backs currently in the game, composed and calm, he limited any chances for Bilbao to score.
Guilherme Siqueira – 6: Great getting forward on the left side and crossed in a gifted opportunity for Griezmann which would have broken the deadlock if not for a spectacular save from Iago. Solid defensively too.
Raúl García – 4.5: Simeone’s go=to guy for power and instinct for goals created opportunities for the forwards, however, began to grow frustrated and was soon replaced after half-time.
Gabi – 6: Typical tireless performance from the captain, pulling the strings with Tiago in launching counter-attacks from a deep-lying role.
Tiago – 6: Seemed to be the man to finally break the deadlock with a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside call. Solid defensively and helped start the counter-attacks from the back.
Koke – 5.5: The usual playmaker due to his vision, was quite limited by Bilbao’s defenders, however, did his usual role in controlling possession for Atlético.
Fernando Torres – 4.5: The determination to succeed and continue his recent goal scoring form was evident, however, an indecisive performance lead to frustration and a yellow card. Substituted shortly after half-time.
Antoine Griezmann – 6.5: The Frenchman looked lively today and had a number of opportunities to put the hosts in front, yet a number of offsides and good defending lead to another game without Atlético’s leading goal scorer adding to his first season tally.
Substitutes
Arda Turan – 6: Game changer for Atlético as he provided dangerous runs and crosses. Looked to have assisted in breaking the deadlock with a fantastic cross that Tiago scored but was wrongly called for offside.
Mario Mandžukić – 6: A physically dominant performance. Won all aerial battles, set up opportunities for his team particularly one incident with gifting Miranda a great opportunity. Brought upon a threat forward that was missing in the first-half.
Saúl –N/A: The desire to get the crucial goal made for a lively appearance off the bench however received little time.
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Athletic Bilbao
Iago Herrerín – 6.5: Luck from the referee and linesman in regards to two wrongfully offside calls, but produced superb saves in helping Bilbao earn a vital point away.
Óscar De Marcos – 4.5: Defensively struggled with the physicality of García and then the trickery of Turan.
Xabier Etxeita – 6: A physical presence in defence. Tackled well and caused frustrations among Atlético particularly with Torres and García.
Aymeric Laporte – 6: The in demand centre-back produced a great duel in keeping Torres quiet. Mandžukić proved to be dangerous, however, he remained strong and helped maintain a clean sheet for his team.
Unai Bustinza – 4: A bit of a quiet performance from the right-back in assisting forward, due to the threat of Griezmann and did help support Etxeita well. Received a second booking late in the game.
Ander Iturraspe – 6: Committed and tireless performance in the centre of the midfield. Help assist his defenders in pressing every Atlético attack, covering the whole pitch in the process.
Mikel San José – 6: Came close to scoring in the opening minutes with a header from a corner kick. Assisted excellently in the back well due to the dangerous threat of Griezmann and Turan.
Iñaki Williams – 5: His speed was dealt with well by Juanfran, however was eager and determined to make runs. Just lacked the finishing.
Mikel Rico – 4.5: Lost possession frequently, however, produced the few chances for his side in getting forward.
Andoni Iraola – 5: Offensively was poor and lacking but tracked the forward runs by Siqueira well.
Kike Sola –4.5: Disappointed for a long range effort that came close in the first-half, could not come close to goals due to the dominance from Miranda and Godín.
Substitutes
Carlos Gurpegi – N/A: A late appearance in just making sure Bilbao could hold on for the draw.
Unai Lopez – 4: Came on in the second half to bring a spark in Bilbao’s attack, however provided very little.
Guillermo – 4: Replaced Kike as the lone striker, however, like Kike, received very little opportunities and was starved of service due to Atlético dominating offensively.
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