Real Madrid honored Thibaut Courtois with a victory at San Mamés in his debut in the League, three points added in a very brave game like all Madrid’s in Bilbao, where they find a very hot atmosphere, for Athletic the most important game it’s from the season.
After a preseason with lights and shadows, Madrid had a very important appointment, especially after the injury to its starting goalkeeper and all that uncertainty implies. He took it out with solvency, supported by a firm defense. The night allowed us to see very clear notes of what Ancelotti wants. Perhaps the most important thing was the confirmation that Madrid will play differently from now on because Modric and Kroos were on the bench from the start. The transition in the center of the field is already a fact.
It was not just removing two essential players in recent years and who set the style of the game. The substitution of the German and the Croatian also changed the system and Madrid began to play with four very physical midfielders, a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Jude Bellingham at the forefront.
The drawing also forces us to see a Madrid without a nine, which is a rarity in whites. Vinícius and Rodrygo move a little more inside, but the absence of a point of reference up front can take away a goal for the whites.
Beyond his system, the night was a real test for Lunin in what seems to be his only game as a starter if the signing of Kepa is confirmed in the next few hours. The Ukrainian did not look nervous but his test was not such because it was hardly required. Madrid’s defense remained very firm and Athletic did not test him in the entire first half.
As expected, the lions came out very strong, but it took Madrid less than ten minutes to get hold of the ball, well supported by the physical display of its powerful midfielders.
At minute 27, in Athletic’s first defensive error, Madrid scored when Rodrygo caught a ball in the area and beat Unai Simón for his stick.
Athletic suffered a lot from the blow and Madrid had chances to thrash from there until half-time. Between Unai Simón and the post they prevented Alaba from scoring the second with a header. Nor did it come in the best play by Vinícius, who went from two opponents in a display of speed and technique, but could not with the goalkeeper.
In the middle of the white offensive, the second finally arrived at minute 36 in an unorthodox shot by Bellingham that caught a rope and beat Unai Simón over the top.
Athtletic asked for a penalty in a slash from Militão to Unai Gómez that neither Gil Manzano nor the VAR appreciated, but he arrived at half-time asking for the time. The third did not fall in the added miracle. Rodrygo did not hook a Chilean in the small area and then Fran García missed an easy shot.
The second part could not start worse for Madrid. After three minutes, Militão sprained his knee in what appeared to be a serious injury, at least a sprain. Rüdiger came on and the whites’ defense didn’t suffer.
With a more expectant Madrid, Athletic dominated the ball in the second half without creating much danger and suffering from the rival’s cons, a Madrid that had chances to close the game even more. Bellingham had excellent conductions, full of class and reminiscent of Zidane, but Madrid was not fine at the finish.
For the last minutes Kroos entered and then Modric and Joselu. Athletic dropped the pressure in the last quarter of an hour. Modric had the third in a shot that went loose but there wasn’t much more. Athletic could no longer and Madrid was satisfied. It is never easy in Bilbao.
