Real Madrid sweat against a brave Athletic
A goal from Benzema is enough for the leader to end the undefeated away from a rival who surpassed him and had better chances
MADRID, 1 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid suffered a lot to establish itself in the leadership of LaLiga Santander 2021-2022 after defeating a brave Athletic Club 1-0 this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, which put a very expensive price on losing its undefeated condition at home and that , except at the beginning, it was superior, especially on clear occasions.
The Madrid team is already up to date on its match counter after winning this postponed duel, where it did not offer its best image and where it went from being subjected to being subjected by a rival weighed down by its lack of ‘punch’, something that drags all the year where he only has 13 goals in favor.
A goal by Benzema at the end of the break, stops by Courtois and the odd saving cross of the white defense allowed the leader to add his seventh consecutive victory and open seven points with Atlético de Madrid, who still have one less clash, and Real Society.
Although he ended up asking for the time, Real Madrid had a promising start for their fans despite the untimely night. With a rapid movement of the ball and moving it from side to side, and good pressure, he subjected an Athletic that was ‘locked’ in his field and unable to leave despite the desperation of Marcelino García.
Vinicius and Benzema showed their current good connection and carried the danger towards Unai Simón’s goal. The French, hampered by Unai Núñez, did not finish off in the best way a Brazilian center, and shortly after both combined in little space, but the international goalkeeper also avoided the last touch of Lyon’s.
However, and against all odds, both and the rest of the team would lose steam and the visitors knew how to rebuild, position themselves better and make the possession of Carlo Ancelotti’s men uncomfortable. Thus he was able to bring the scare to the stands, especially with Iñaki Williams. The forward, after a pass from Muniain that left him frank after tripping on Militao’s back, could not avoid the Brazilian’s foot, but even better was the one he had after when a strange error by Alaba left him alone against Courtois, but his poor control left him with no options.
A header a few meters from Raúl García’s goal that once again demonstrated Courtois’ good form closed the carousel of opportunities for the ‘Lions’ who, despite having less than 30 percent of possession, were already living longer relieved on the lawn.
Real Madrid, already with less prominence from Vinicius and Benzema, saw their danger reduced to shots outside the area by Kroos, but went to the break ahead on the scoreboard. Vinicius and Modric accelerated again and Asensio’s shot was repelled by a good hand from Unai Simón, but the rebound fell to the Croatian whose erratic shot went to a lone Benzema who pushed him into the net.
THE ATHLETIC COMMANDS IN THE SECOND HALF
The goal made Athletic react after the break. Marcelino García retouched his team, who, hooked on Muniain’s good work, once again brought more danger to Courtois’ goal. On the other hand, Real Madrid had a harder time having the ball and preferred to try to surprise the counterattack more.
The visitors threatened with a shot from Zárraga, which was replicated in another sharpening by Kroos, although the clearest were De Marcos, saved by a great cross by Lucas Vázquez, and, above all, Unai Núñez who failed to connect in front of the madridista goal a center from Muniain that showed the problems with standing ball that the 13-time European champion seems to be suffering at the present time.
Ancelotti tried to react with the entries of Rodrygo and Valverde, while Marcelino decided to withdraw Muniain. Sancet, after a great maneuver, was not capable of overtaking Courtois either and the stands could not breathe heading into the final stage. Vesga ran into Militao in the last great occasion of the ‘Lions’ who could not avoid leaving their undefeated at home and extend their games to six without winning.
DATASHEET.
– RESULT: REAL MADRID, 1 – ATHLETIC CLUB, 0 (1-0, at halftime).
–ALIGNMENTS.
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez (Nacho, min.80), Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric (Valverde, min.70), Casemiro, Kroos (Camavinga, min.80); Asensio (Rodrygo, min.64), Benzema and Vinicius.
ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón; Lekue (De Marcos, min.46), Yeray Álvarez, Unai Núñez, Balenziaga; Zárraga, Dani García (Vesga, min.82), Vencedor (Nico Williams, min.63), Muniain (Berenguer, min.70); Raúl García (Sancet, min.70) and Iñaki Williams.
GOALS.
1-0, minute 40. Benzema.
– REFEREE: Díaz de Mera Escuderos (C. Castellano-Manchego). He admonished Modric (min.68), Casemiro (min.77), for Real Madrid, and Zárraga (min.31), Lekue (min.43), Iñaki Williams (min.77), for Athletic Club.
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.