Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are gearing up for a crucial showdown in their quest for Champions League qualification.
With Atletico currently holding a three-point advantage over Athletic, Diego Simeone's squad is keen to maintain their lead.
However, Atletico's recent stumbles, including a disappointing Champions League exit and a humiliating defeat against Alaves, have heightened the pressure ahead of Athletic's visit to the Metropolitano Stadium.
Athletic Bilbao, under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, is eager to seize the opportunity to secure a return to Europe's elite competition for the first time since 2014.
Having dominated their encounters with Atletico this season, including a convincing 2-0 victory in La Liga and a successful run in the Copa del Rey, Athletic enters the match with confidence.
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak acknowledges the challenges his team faces, admitting a "terrible dynamic" and emphasising the need for improvement. Despite their recent setbacks, Atletico remains determined to bounce back and secure a vital win against Athletic.
Meanwhile, Athletic's recent draw against Granada, coupled with Atletico's defeat, has kept the race for Champions League qualification wide open. Valverde is aware of the importance of refocusing his team for the final stretch of the season, especially with key players like Raul Garcia and Iker Muniain set to depart.
As the anticipation builds for this crucial clash, all eyes will be on Artem Dovbyk, the prolific striker from Girona, who aims to further bolster his impressive goal tally as his team pushes for Champions League football next season.
