Real Madrid held onto their position at the top of La Liga table following a comfortable 2-0 victory over a resolute Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Key Stats:
- Real Madrid vs Athletic Club:
- Total shots taken: 9 vs 7
- Shots on target: 4 vs 3
- Possession: 59% vs 41%
- Pass accuracy: 88% vs 82%
- Yellow cards: 2 vs 1
- Fouls: 9 vs 13
Early Strike sets the tone
The home side wasted no time in asserting their dominance. In just the 8th minute, young Brazilian winger Rodrygo opened the scoring. He capitalised on a defensive lapse from Athletic Club, weaving past a defender before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala.
Real Madrid in Control
The home side dictated the tempo for much of the first half. Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde came close to extending the lead with long-range efforts, while Aurélien Tchouameni headed just wide from a corner. Athletic Club offered little in attack, struggling to penetrate Real Madrid’s well-organised defence.
Athletic Up the Ante in the Second Half
The visitors emerged with renewed purpose after the break. Galarreta came in to the game as a substitute for Prados in midfield looking to add a bit of spark in Bilbao’s attack, and the club’s top goalscorer, Guruzeta, replaced by Djalo. Athletic Club, however, found that momentum to be shortlived as Madrid continued to stifle their chances in attack. Attempts coming from Inaki Williams, with a cross from Berenguer, were saved by Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Rodrygo Doubles the Lead
The second half continued in a similar vein, with Real Madrid controlling possession but struggling to break down a resolute Athletic defence.
Their dominance paid off once again in the 73rd minute. Rodrygo doubled the lead with a clinical finish after a flowing move involving Valverde and Bellingham.
Athletic Without a Response
The goal effectively ended Athletic Club’s hopes of salvaging a point. They continued to press forward but lacked the cutting edge to trouble Lunin in the Real Madrid goal. The closing stages saw both teams make substitutions, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
Key takeaways
- Rodrygo’s brilliance: The young forward was Real Madrid’s standout performer, scoring both goals and showcasing his pace and finishing ability.
- Solid defensive display: Real Madrid’s backline, marshaled by veterans Nacho and Antonio Rüdiger, effectively nullified Athletic Club’s attacking threat.
- Winning mentality: This victory further underlines Real Madrid’s determination to reclaim the La Liga title. They are playing with great confidence and a winning mentality.
Looking ahead:
Athletic Club: Bilbao will have a chance to bounce back from their defeat to Real Madrid with a shot at silverware. Their next fixture is a cup match against Mallorca. This presents an opportunity to focus on a different competition and potentially add a trophy to their cabinet.
Beyond the cup match, Athletic Club will also be looking to secure their position in La Liga. While European qualification might be a stretch after this loss, they’ll want to solidify their place in the top half of the table.
Real Madrid: Real Madrid has a busy upcoming schedule with important fixtures across two competitions: La Liga and the Champions League.
With their lead at the top extended to eight points, Real Madrid will be aiming to maintain their dominance and secure the La Liga title. Key matches to watch out for include upcoming clashes against other top contenders and their upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona.
If they qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, they’ll be aiming to win the prestigious trophy for a record-extending 15th time.
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