The Nuevo San Mamés stadium in Bilbao is set to host a significant LaLiga EA Sports match today, September 5, 2026, as Athletic Club takes on Atlético de Madrid. Kicking off at 16:15, this Matchday 4 fixture sees two prominent Spanish teams vie for positioning in the league table, with the highly anticipated Athletic Atlético clash drawing considerable attention. Atlético de Madrid arrives in Bilbao with seven points from previous fixtures, while the home side secured its inaugural league victory against Celta.
The encounter is anticipated to be an intense duel between two major forces in Spanish football, as reported by MARCA. The atmosphere at San Mamés is expected to be lively, though Diario AS noted that the stadium will not be completely sold out, with tickets still available ranging from 60 to 90 euros. In contrast, MARCA indicated that the stadium expects its ‘usual fill-up’. Spectators should also prepare for a warm afternoon, as a yellow alert for high temperatures is in effect for Bilbao, predicting 29°C and 67% humidity at game time, according to Diario AS.
Atlético de Madrid, under coach Diego Simeone, comes into this game following a decisive 3-1 victory over Sevilla. The Athletic Club, managed by Terzic, secured its first win of the season against Celta in its last outing. Both teams are looking to solidify their positions near the top of the table as the early stages of the LaLiga season progress.
Confirmed Lineups and Key Player Dynamics
Both clubs have confirmed their starting elevens for today’s match. Atlético de Madrid will field Jan Oblak in goal, with a defensive line comprising Marcos Llorente, Dávid Hancko, Marc Pubill, and Alejandro Grimaldo. The midfield features Ademola Lookman, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, and Giuliano Simeone, while Kang-in Lee and Álex Baena will lead the attack. This lineup mirrors the one that secured the victory against Sevilla, a choice by Coach Simeone to maintain consistency, as reported by MARCA. Key contributors include Baena, who scored two goals against Sevilla and now has three in three LaLiga matches, and Pablo Barrios, who assisted Lookman in the previous game, according to Sports Illustrated.
For the Athletic Club, the starting eleven includes Unai Simón as goalkeeper. The defense is composed of Areso, Yeray, Aymeric Laporte, and Yuri. In midfield, Mikel Galarreta and Gerenabarrena will play, supporting an attacking line of Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams, and Iñaki Williams. MARCA highlighted that Yeray and Nico Williams have been integrated into this starting lineup, replacing Paredes and Berenguer from the previous match. Coach Terzic confirmed Nico Williams’ fitness, stating he is ‘in line for today’, as reported by MARCA.
Club Controversies and Transfer Market Echoes
Beyond the pitch, both clubs are navigating internal matters. The Athletic Club has faced ‘problems’ stemming from decisions made by President Uriarte, particularly concerning the withdrawal of complimentary tickets for former players, known as ‘ex-leones’. Uriarte defended this action by citing ‘enormous demand for San Mamés’, according to Diario AS. This move has generated discontent, with former player Lertxundi stating it feels like ‘an insult to be told that they withdraw your invitations and invite you to the box’, as quoted by Diario AS. MARCA noted that the club returns home after two away matches amidst ‘several days of commotion’ and that how San Mamés reacts to this controversy remains to be seen.
Atlético de Madrid is also dealing with the aftermath of the transfer window, particularly regarding forward Julián Álvarez. MARCA reported that much speculation surrounded a possible transfer to Barcelona, but sources close to the Metropolitano never considered such a deal. Despite the chatter, Álvarez starts today’s match on the bench, with MARCA noting that he ‘begins his work to be forgiven for the last months’. Teammate Giuliano Simeone expressed support, saying, ‘He is a great player. We are going to be with him, to support him so that he helps us as he has done’, according to MARCA. The team will also miss Giménez, described as a ‘legend’ by Giuliano Simeone. The club is also integrating new talent like Jonathan David, who told Diario AS, ‘I am ready. La Liga fits very well for my offensive qualities’, a sentiment echoed by Coach Simeone who hopes David ‘can get close to the player he was in Lille’, as reported by MARCA. The team will debut its third kit for the first time in San Mamés.
As the Athletic Club and Atlético de Madrid prepare to face off, the match promises to be a gauge of early-season form and resilience for both teams. Observers will be watching how Athletic’s players and fans respond to the recent club controversies, and how Julián Álvarez begins his path to ‘redemption’ from the bench for Atlético. The performance of key players and the tactical battle between Simeone and Terzic will be crucial in determining who gains valuable points in this LaLiga showdown, setting the tone for their aspirations in the weeks ahead.
Image: Sports Illustrated
Sources consulted
- Diario AS: Athletic Club – Atlético de Madrid, en directo: LaLiga EA Sports, hoy en vivo
- Sports Illustrated: La posible alineación titular del Atlético de Madrid para enfrentar al Athletic
- MARCA: Athletic – Atlético, en directo | LaLiga EA Sports hoy en vivo
Bruno Kadez is a sports writer focused on performance, competition, and athlete insights. He covers major sporting events, player analysis, and trending stories across leagues. His reporting captures both the data and the emotion behind the game.
