Denis Doyle
Atletico Madrid will look to continue their great run and secure their hold on second place against struggling Athletic Bilbao, but they'll have to do it without Falcao
A year ago Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao were playing for the Europa League title. Now these two teams meet in much different circumstances with both sides trying to accomplish entirely different agendas.
Atletico are having a fantastic league season and sit second place behind Barcelona and seven points clear of their city rivals Real Madrid in third place. The goal now for Los Colchoneros is holding on to that place and possibly even more if Barcelona were to improbably slip up.
As for Atheltic Bilbao the goal is simply survival and getting past the off the field political and factional battles that have caused this side to tailspin. Striker Fernando Llorente, a big part of the off the field issues will be off to Juventus in the summer and perhaps this team can start to turn things around with that distraction almost dealt with.
Athletic Bilbao injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Carlos Gurpegui (muscle), Joan Aurtenetxe (muscle).
Atletico Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Gabi (suspended), Juanfran (hamstring), Radamel Falcao (hamstring) In Doubt: None.
Carlos Gurpegui and Joan Aurtenetxe should both be back for Bilbao afte recovering quicker than expected. Gabi is suspended for Atletico and star striker Radamel Falcao continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Match Date/Time: 10 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
TV: beIN Sport (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
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