DOHA: Atletico Madrid returned to La Liga action on Sunday following the COVID-19 health crisis with a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Costa celebrated by holding up the shirt of Virgina Torrecilla, a player from Atletico’s women’s team, who underwent surgery on a brain tumour last month.
His equaliser came two minutes after the excellent Iker Muniain had given Bilbao the lead towards the end of the first half and neither side could find a winner at the empty San Mames,
Both sides tested each other in the opening minutes of the game, but our team enjoyed the first big chance.
Llorente played an excellent through ball towards Carrasco, and the Belgian was just inches away from scoring. As the first half progressed, Bilbao began to feel increasingly confident on the ball.
Oblak was forced to make a sensational save some 30 minutes in, but the hosts took the lead shortly thereafter.
A cross from the left was found by Muniain and the Spaniard curled the ball away from Oblak. But our team reacted in style, and Costa equalised right away as Koke provided the assist.
The second half saw both managers make many substitutions. Simeone made a triple change just after the hour mark, when Trippier, Carrasco and Costa made way for Arias, Lemar and Morata. Five minutes later, Correa came on for Llorente, who had played up front alongside Diego Costa.
With just over 10 minutes to go, Koke made way for Herrera, and we shortly thereafter had a massive chance to score.
An excellent team play saw Lodi cross the ball and a close-range strike from Arias was saved on the line by the keeper. Atletico kept pushing until the end, but the game ultimately ended 1-1. (Source: Atletico Madrid)
