Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Madrid (Bellingham). Madrid still second. Here is my reaction to the match. On the way: Player ratings, post game interviews and a podcast.
The top of the table was only a few points away for Real Madrid, but a trip to Athletic Bilbao has proven to be a tough hurdle to jump in recent seasons. Raúl Asencio was all the rage right now, sticking a very rare microscope over the developments of La Fábrica and other potential prospects that could shine seemingly out of nowhere. One of them, Gonzalo García found himself on the bench today. Dani Ceballos started in the middle, joined by the returning Aurélien Tchouaméni. Rodrygo Goes led the attack alongside Kylian Mbappé. Lucas Vázquez captained the team.
An early attack through Nico Williams was an indicator of how difficult this game was going to be – but Kylian Mbappé looked like he had made the task a whole lot easier after scoring past the keeper, only to be called out by VAR for being offside. Bilbao then almost took the lead after spurning a shot inside the area, in what proved to be the last of the action for the first half. 0-0 going into the tunnel.
The second half would produce more excitement, as the home side took the lead with a scrappy goal from close range. Antonio Rüdiger hit the bar with a powerful header, before Madrid had a lifeline through a penalty after a foul in the box. Just like at Anfield, Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take it, and just like at Anfield – the Frenchman missed from 12 yards… Jude Bellingham looked like he could salvage something for Madrid with a goal ten minutes from full-time, but moments later Bilbao regained the lead with a lovely finish after a mistake from Fede Valverde. Full-time, 2-1 – and a huge chance to reach the top of the table by 16 games played wasted, but they can still close the gap to one point with a win against Girona in three days’ time. What did you think about the game?
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