The Colchoneros stumbled on the Basque defense for a long time, but a quarter of an hour from the end, the pink-haired French international sneaked into the Basque defense and concluded the action with a perfectly adjusted cross shot (73rd) to give victory to his people.

A goal celebrated against the turn of the Ultras rojiblancos, the angry fist brandished in their direction.

This is the 7th goal of the season in La Liga for Griezmann, who has once again become the true attacking master of Madrid.

"He is key for us. Super-important. When he is well, the team plays at a whole new level. In terms of circulation, passing, associations... when he is well, we have more attacking options. He allowed us to play with two forwards in front of him, and that's how we found our way to the goal," Diego Simeone recalled after the match.

Antoine Griezmann (right) against the Spanish defender of Bilbao Dani Vivian on February 19, 2023 on the lawn of Atlético Madrid.

"When he's doing well, the team plays at a whole new level," said Colchoneros coach Diego Simeone of him © OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP/Archives

The Colchoneros offer themselves a sixth match without defeat in La Liga, and a fourth victory in their last five matches.

A great dynamic that comes at the best of times, a week before the Madrid derby against Real Madrid on behalf of the 23rd day of La Liga.

Athletic Bilbao, which was able to play with its traditional red and white striped jersey for the club's 125th anniversary (the Basque club is also at the origin of the pattern of the Atlético jersey), was not unworthy : Ernesto Valverde's men had clear chances to score first, especially in the first half, but never managed to break through the Jan Oblak wall.

Young Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala warming up on February 19, 2023 before the La Liga match against Atlético Madrid.

Unai Simon's understudy has long defeated Colchoneros attackers © OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP/Archives

The Basques were also able to count on a high-class goalkeeper: the young Julen Agirrezabala (22), Unai Simon's understudy, delivered multiple decisive saves to keep his people afloat.

But with this defeat, they stall in 7th place, at the gates of European places, two lengths behind Rayo Vallecano, hung 1-1 by Sevilla FC in the afternoon.

In the evening (9:00 p.m.), FC Barcelona receives Cadiz at Camp Nou to try to maintain its lead at the top of the standings.

© 2023 AFP