Athletic's defensive nightmare continues ahead of crucial Atalanta clash
Bilbao's leaky backline has shipped 12 goals in four January matches as they prepare for a must-win Champions League showdown in Bergamo.
Athletic Club head to Italy with their European hopes hanging by a thread, while their defence appears to have gone completely missing in action.
Defensive disaster class
The Lions have been having an absolute mare at the back lately. They’ve shipped a whopping 12 goals in just four January matches across all competitions:
- 1 goal vs Osasuna
- 5 goals vs Barcelona
- 3 goals vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (Copa)
- 3 goals vs Mallorca
Only managing one win from those four fixtures (against lower-league Cultural Leonesa in the Copa), Athletic’s defensive frailties have come at the worst possible time as they prepare for Tuesday’s critical Champions League clash in Bergamo.
VAR controversy adding to the woes
The squad is still reeling from their defeat to Mallorca, where two controversial penalties were awarded against Vivian and Yuri. The RFEF’s VAR audio explanations haven’t exactly smoothed things over in the dressing room. Even Osasuna manager Arrasate weighed in, suggesting that anyone who’s played football would understand Yuri’s challenge wasn’t a penalty.
Do or die in Bergamo
Athletic’s Director of Football Mikel González remains optimistic, insisting “we’re very much alive” in both Champions League and Copa del Rey. But the blunt truth is that Athletic must win at Atalanta to have any hope of progressing to the next round.
That’s easier said than done against an Atalanta side who’ve found their rhythm at home in Europe. The Italians have taken 7 points from 9 at their ground, beating both Club Brugge and Chelsea 2-1 after going behind, while drawing 0-0 with Slavia Prague.
For Athletic to stand any chance in Bergamo, they’ll need to sort out their defensive shambles pronto. Otherwise, it could be curtains for their European adventure this season.