Atlético Madrid Suffer 3–0 Defeat Against Athletic Bilbao

Atlético Madrid’s trip to San Mamés turned into a bruising night, a 3–0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the fourth round of La Liga underlining just how fragile Diego Simeone’s side can look away from home.

For a while, though, it threatened to be a very different story.

Lee Kang-in bright early, inches from a breakthrough

Handed a start in Bilbao, Lee Kang-in opened sharply. He demanded the ball, drove at defenders, and almost silenced the home crowd with one swing of his right foot.

His best moment came when he cut inside and let fly, only to see his shot crash against the post. It was one of two Atlético efforts that hit the woodwork in the first half, a reminder that the visitors were not without chances before the game collapsed around them.

Lee’s influence faded as the match wore on. The early sharpness gave way to longer spells without impact, and he was withdrawn in the 58th minute as Atlético chased a game that was rapidly slipping away.

Spanish outlet El Desmarque handed the South Korean a rating of 5, noting his lively start and assured touch in the move that ended with the effort off the post, but underlining how his imprint on the contest diminished after the break.

Defensive errors punish Atlético

The turning point came after half-time. Atlético, already walking a tightrope, lost their defensive discipline. Mistakes at the back opened the door for Athletic, and the Basque side did not hesitate. Three goals flew past Jan Oblak, with El Desmarque later pointing out a stark statistic: the Slovenian did not register a single save.

For a club that has built its modern identity on defensive steel, the manner of the goals conceded will sting more than the scoreline itself.

Mixed report card for Madrid side

El Desmarque’s player ratings painted a harsh but telling picture of Atlético’s night.

The highest marks in the visiting side, 6 out of 10, went to Marc Pubill, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios and Álex Baena. Pubill was highlighted for his defensive work in the first half, when Atlético still looked competitive. Hjulmand and Barrios earned praise for their consistency and industry in midfield, while Baena’s willingness to shoot and try to generate danger in the final third was noted.

At the other end of the scale, Oblak and Álex Grimaldo received 3s. The goalkeeper’s blank save column summed up a night in which he was beaten three times without response, while Grimaldo struggled badly in his duel with Robert Navarro, repeatedly exposed down his flank.

Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone also came away with 3s, their attacking threat too sporadic to change the narrative of the game. Marcos Llorente, usually a reliable engine in big away fixtures, fared slightly better with a 4 but still fell short of his usual standard.

There were steadier notes in the chaos. Cristian Romero, making his Atlético debut after coming on as a substitute, received a 5, matching the rating given to Julián Álvarez. Both showed glimpses of what they can offer, but by then the contest had already tilted decisively in Athletic’s favour.

The woodwork, the missed chances, the defensive lapses — all of it leaves Atlético with a familiar question as the season takes shape: can a team that once thrived on control and resilience rediscover that edge before the damage in the table becomes permanent?