Lions show their claws

The final of the Super Cup awaits. Athletic, a dozen attempts later, managed to defeat Real Madrid. A victory that opens, with the permission of Barça, the doors to a new title. The third in this competition, but that will be another story.

Those of Marcelino could yesterday with those of Zidane thanks, above all, to a splendid first half. The French coach tried to apply a tactical innovation, but by the time he wanted to realize it he was already behind on the scoreboard. Raúl García took his rifle out for a walk after a great pass from a very improved Dani García.

The rojiblanca party, with the forced defensive adjustments, was in crescendo with the passing of the minutes. Lucas Vázquez, confused, thus committed a clear penalty on Iñigo Martínez, which Raúl García, of course, converted into a goal.

The meringues, as expected, tightened after the break. Unai Simón was accompanied this time by fortune in two Marco Asensio auctions on wood. Benzema did hit the rojiblanca goal, but Athletic's new wall resisted. The final, wait.

Marcelino, with more time to meet and work with the rojiblanca squad, only made two changes compared to the eleven he presented against Barça as soon as he landed in Bilbao. Balenziaga occupied the place of the injured Yuri on the left-handed side and Dani García entered for Vesga on the double pivot. Nuñez, despite the fact that Yeray was already recovered, served as central.

Pressure up serve

Zidane, meanwhile, bet on the expected eleven. Sergio Ramos was doubtful until the last moment after suffering some physical problem in the warm-up, but at the end it was the game. Hazard, too.

The lions initially alternated a high pressure with a medium-low one, more withdrawal. Madrid, without resources to get out of the Bilbao push, tried with tickets on the wing, but without success. The good rojiblanco work began to pay off right away. Dani García, ready and accurate, recovered the ball in an exit attempt by Lucas Vázquez and served for Raúl García, after an intelligent threat from Williams, beat Courtois.

The Navarrese, plethora, tried again minutes later with a shot with his left foot. Asensio took over the merengue finisher from there, but Athletic scored again. Lucas' clear penalty on Iñigo Martínez and Raúl García, from the fatal point, deceived and beat Courtois with nine minutes to go.

Madrid, with Nacho for Varane, improved in the second half. Muniain, despite everything, had a clear opportunity to sentence the return of the locker room, but his header narrowly missed. The lions began to suffer from there.

Marcos Asensio, in fact, finished off the wood twice. One to the post, another to the crossbar. Marcelino, aware of the situation, began to pull the bench. Vesga and Lekue were the first to appear. Vinicius and Valverde jumped at the same time on the merengue side. Muniain, touched, had to be relieved by Berenguer.

Benzema, in the midst of white harassment, cut the gap with a goal that needed the VAR to be validated. There were about 20 minutes to go until the conclusion. Marcelino, aware that Athletic needed oxygen, completed the carousel of changes with Morcillo and Villalibre simultaneously.

The one from Gernika was able to score in a one on one that Courtois thwarted. Zidane, with everything lost, removed Benzema and left Sergio Ramos in the lead. Madrid tried, but was shipwrecked in the attempt. Athletic, a new scare in the form of a consultation with the VAR included, in the final