Atletico Madrid battles Athletic Bilbao for 4th place in Spain and last Champions League berth
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With Real Madrid cruising to the Spanish league title, the focus shifts to the battle for fourth place and the final Champions League berth.
Atletico Madrid hosts Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in a game that could go a long way to deciding which goes to Europe’s elite competition next season.
Atletico holds fourth place, but Diego Simeone’s side has only a three-point advantage over Athletic in fifth with six games remaining.
“Our big goal is to finish in the top four in La Liga,” Atletico defender Stefan Savic said this week. “We have an important game against a rival for the fourth Champions League berth. We know how important the match is and I am sure we will play a great game and take the three points at home.”
Athletic has not played in the Champions League since the 2014-15 season, while Atletico is a regular participant.