Spanish Super Cup
2021/22 Spanish Super Cup: Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club: times, TV and how to watch online
All the information you need to watch the 2021/22 Spanish Super Cup semi-final between Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club on Thursday 13 January 2022.
Holders Athletic Club take on Atlético Madrid in the second Super Cup semi-final on Thursday, the winners progressing to Sunday’s final. The Basque side won last year’s tournament but are very much the underdogs to lift the trophy for the second year running - in spite of their fame for being one of Spain’s great Cup sides. In domestic competition, Marcelino’s side are mid-table - a position which isn’t a true reflection on how they have been playing. Out of the 21 league games played so far, Athletic have drawn half of them - and five of those without finding the net at all. Scoring goals has been an issue. They are averaging less than a goal per game and have been relying heavily on Iñaki Williams, their top scorer. They’ve always been a team which has had goal scorers right the way through the team - centre-back Iñigo Martínez has chipped in with a couple so far this season but it’s clearly an area where they've been struggling, highlighted by the fact that their defensive record is actually better than Real Madrid’s, the leaders, who are eight places above them in the table.
And not everyone is happy with having to play the Super Cup abroad with four clubs instead of two. Raúl García was forthright when journalists asked him for his opinion about having to face his old club several thousand kilometres away in Saudi Arabia. "For me it’s quite clear, it makes no sense at all. It’s as simple as that. We are going abroad to play a domestic competition; everyone knows the real reason why. I don’t want to cause any problems, but what is the point of going all the way over there to play a game we can play here? I’m from the old school. For me, football has changed - it’s no longer about the fans. Now, all that matters is making money and trying to secure sponsorship deals…"
The Bilbaínos haven’t done so badly in their direct encounters with their Super Cup rivals this season, having drawn their league meetings with Barcelona and Atleti and lost by the bare minimum to Real Madrid just before Christmas.
Opponents Atlético started the season strongly and at one point were looking like serious contenders to win LaLiga for the second year running before mysteriously fading in mid-October. Two Champions League defeats to Liverpool seemed to knock the wind out of their sails. After sharing top spot level on point with Real Madrid in Week 8, the wheels came off the rojiblanco bus. Simeone’s team sit fourth in LaLiga on 33 points, their title dreams in tatters but they remain alive in the Champions League with Manchester United standing in the way of a place in the quarter finals.
Atlético vs Athletic: team news
Antoine Griezmann is the big absentee for Atleti, he is out for the next few weeks with a thigh muscle injury. Centre-back Stefan Savic also remained at home.
Marcelino took a 24-man squad to Riyadh - all of his available players, including full-back Yuri Berchiche, who has been out for the past nine monthes recovering from a groin injury. Just two players, Unai Vencedor (hamstring) and centre-back Unai Nuñez (calf) were unable to make the trip.
What time does Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club kick off?
The 2021/22 Spanish Super Cup semi-final between Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club will be played at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 13 January 2022, kicking off at the local time of 22:00 hours AST.
That is 2pm ET (New York), 11am PT (Los Angeles), 9pm in the UK and 20:00 hours CET for those watching in Spain.
Where can I watch Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club in the US and UK?
In the US and UK, the following television channels and online services will be broadcasting Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club:
United States: ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, ESPN, ESPN Deportes+
United Kingdom: BT Sport 1, BT Sport App, BTSport.com
Spain: #Vamos
Saudi Arabia: SSC
Find out who is showing Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club around in the world.
Atlético vs Athletic: live AS USA coverage
You’ll also be able to follow live-text coverage of Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club right here at AS USA. We'll be building up to the game from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before taking you through the action as it unfolds.