Athletic Club welcomes Atlético Madrid to San Mamés on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for Matchday 4 of La Liga. Kickoff is scheduled for 16:15 CEST. The teams enter with different early-season records.
Athletic lost their first two matches against Sevilla and Barcelona before responding with a 2-0 victory away to Celta Vigo. Atlético remain unbeaten after beating Málaga and Sevilla either side of a 2-2 draw with Villarreal.
Recent history gives Atlético the overall advantage, but San Mamés has been a more difficult venue for Diego Simeone's side. Athletic have won three of the last five competitive meetings between the clubs in Bilbao. That combination of Atlético's stronger current form and Athletic's home record makes this a more balanced fixture than the league table alone suggests.
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Head-to-Head Summary
The last 10 competitive meetings have produced:
Athletic Club wins: 4
Atlético Madrid wins: 6
Draws: 0
Athletic Club goals: 10
Atlético Madrid goals: 10
The win totals favor Atlético, but the goal difference is perfectly level. That reflects the nature of the matchup. Atlético have generally been better at turning tight games into victories, while Athletic have produced some convincing performances of their own, particularly at San Mamés. The most recent meeting finished 3-2 to Atlético in April 2026. Athletic won the previous encounter 1-0 in Bilbao.
Last 10 Meetings
The most recent competitive meetings are:
April 25, 2026 – La Liga: Atlético Madrid 3-2 Athletic Club
December 6, 2025 – La Liga: Athletic Club 1-0 Atlético Madrid
March 1, 2025 – La Liga: Atlético Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club
August 31, 2024 – La Liga: Athletic Club 0-1 Atlético Madrid
April 27, 2024 – La Liga: Atlético Madrid 3-1 Athletic Club
February 29, 2024 – Copa del Rey: Athletic Club 3-0 Atlético Madrid
February 7, 2024 – Copa del Rey: Atlético Madrid 0-1 Athletic Club
December 16, 2023 – La Liga: Athletic Club 2-0 Atlético Madrid
February 19, 2023 – La Liga: Atlético Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club
October 15, 2022 – La Liga: Athletic Club 0-1 Atlético Madrid
None of the last 10 meetings ended in a draw. The margins have usually been narrow, though. Six were decided by a single goal, showing how often small moments have determined the outcome. Athletic's recent record at San Mamés is especially relevant: they have won three of Atlético's last five competitive visits.
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Athletic Club Current Form
Athletic's first three league results are:
Celta Vigo 0-2 Athletic Club
Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Club
Athletic Club 1-3 Sevilla
Their response at Celta was important after two defeats. Edin Terzić's team produced a much sharper attacking performance in Vigo, with Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro scoring during an impressive first half.
Including their final two league matches of last season, Athletic's last five competitive games have produced one win, one draw and three defeats.
The more useful indicator, however, is the improvement between the Barcelona defeat and the victory at Celta. Terzić wants Athletic to press aggressively and attack collectively rather than retreat into a purely defensive approach. San Mamés should help them apply that style with greater intensity.
Atlético Madrid Current Form
Atlético have started La Liga strongly:
Sevilla 1-3 Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid 2-2 Villarreal
Atlético Madrid 2-0 Málaga
That gives Simeone's side seven points from nine, with seven goals scored and three conceded. The 3-1 victory at Sevilla was their most impressive performance so far. It also showed that Atlético can be dangerous away from the Metropolitano rather than relying solely on their home form.
Álex Baena has been particularly influential, scoring three league goals already, while Ademola Lookman has added another attacking dimension. Including the end of last season, Atlético have three wins, one draw and one defeat across their last five competitive matches. The only loss was the 5-1 defeat at Villarreal on the final day of 2025/26.
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Athletic Club Team News and Injuries
Athletic have several midfield and defensive availability concerns. Peio Canales is unavailable after suffering a moderate muscle injury in his left soleus. Unai Egiluz remains a long-term absentee as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Beñat Prados and Dani Vivian have also been recovering from injuries that kept them out of recent matches. Their availability remains uncertain rather than something Athletic can safely rely on.
Those absences matter because Atlético are strong in central areas and capable of changing their attacking structure during matches. Terzić can still call on important players including Oihan Sancet, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams, Álex Berenguer and Aymeric Laporte.
Atlético Madrid Team News and Injuries
Alexander Sørloth remains an injury concern after suffering a muscular contracture during preseason. The more positive development concerns Julián Álvarez. Simeone confirmed before the match that the Argentina international has been training well and will be included in the squad.
Whether he starts is less certain after a disrupted summer, but his availability gives Atlético another high-level attacking option. Deadline-day signing Jonathan David also strengthens Simeone's choices in attack following his loan move from Juventus. Atlético therefore have considerable depth despite Sørloth's fitness problem.
Tactical Match Analysis
Athletic's pressing is likely to be one of the most important features of the match. Terzić has made clear that he wants his team to apply intense pressure and then attack collectively. At San Mamés, Athletic are unlikely to simply sit deep and allow Atlético to dictate possession.
That approach could make the opening stages particularly important. Atlético have become more comfortable building through midfield in recent seasons. Pablo Barrios, Morten Hjulmand and Álex Baena give Simeone players capable of moving the ball through pressure rather than relying exclusively on direct counterattacks.
If Athletic's press is beaten, space could appear behind their midfield. Baena is especially dangerous in those areas because he can receive between the lines, create chances and arrive in scoring positions.
Athletic's best attacking opportunities may come through the wide areas. Iñaki and Nico Williams can stretch Atlético's defensive line, while Berenguer provides movement and delivery from different positions.
Atlético will want to prevent those players from receiving possession with room to accelerate. The battle for second balls should also matter. Both teams are comfortable competing physically, and losing control of midfield could quickly lead to pressure around either penalty area.
Key Players to Watch
1. Álex Berenguer
Berenguer scored in Athletic's win at Celta and has already created several chances this season. His movement from wide positions and set-piece quality give the hosts an important source of creativity.
2. Oihan Sancet
Sancet can connect midfield with attack and is dangerous when receiving the ball between defensive lines. Athletic will need him involved if they want to prevent the game from becoming too direct.
3. Álex Baena
Baena has started the season in excellent form with three La Liga goals. His ability to create and score makes him one of Atlético's most influential attacking players.
4. Ademola Lookman
Lookman's pace and direct running give Atlético a threat in transition. If Athletic commit too many players to their press, he can attack the space left behind.
What the Numbers Tell Us
The most useful statistics show both Atlético's overall advantage and Athletic's home strength:
Atlético have won six of the last 10 competitive meetings.
Athletic have won four.
The aggregate goal count across those games is 10-10.
None of the last 10 H2Hs ended in a draw.
Athletic have won three of Atlético's last five competitive visits to San Mamés.
Atlético have collected seven points from nine this season.
Athletic have three points from their opening three matches.
Atlético have scored seven league goals compared with Athletic's three.
Current form favors Atlético, while recent results in Bilbao give Athletic a stronger argument than the overall H2H record suggests.
Who Has the Advantage?
Atlético Madrid have a slight statistical advantage. They are unbeaten this season, have won six of the last 10 meetings and enter after an impressive away victory at Sevilla. Their attacking options are also deeper, particularly with Álvarez available again.
However, this is not a clear-cut matchup. Athletic have beaten Atlético in three of their last five competitive meetings at San Mamés and produced a much-improved performance at Celta. Their pressing and the atmosphere in Bilbao can make the match uncomfortable for Simeone's side.
Interestingly, none of the last 10 competitive meetings ended level, but a draw is still realistic based on the current balance between the teams. Atlético's stronger start gives them the narrower edge, but San Mamés significantly reduces that advantage.
Conclusion
Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid brings together a home side looking to build on its first victory of the season and an Atlético team that has started unbeaten. Athletic's 2-0 win at Celta showed clear improvement after defeats to Sevilla and Barcelona, while Terzić's pressing approach should make this a demanding afternoon for the visitors.
Atlético arrive with stronger numbers: seven points from three matches, seven goals scored and six victories from the last 10 H2Hs. The matchup becomes much closer when the venue is considered. Athletic have won three of Atlético's last five competitive visits to San Mamés and have repeatedly shown they can trouble Simeone's side there.
Overall, Atlético hold a slight statistical advantage because of their stronger current form, but Athletic's home record makes another tightly contested game the more reasonable expectation.