Toni Kroos and Nacho hit the crossbar before Luka Jovic hit the post in a frustrating 0-0 draw for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao.
2019/2020 La Liga
0-0
Match Report
Real Madrid allowed Barcelona to take an advantage into LaLiga's mid-season break after Athletic Bilbao held them to a second goalless draw in a week.
Following Wednesday's stalemate at Camp Nou in El Clasico, Zinedine Zidane's men drew a blank once more against their obdurate Basque opponents.
Toni Kroos and Nacho hit the crossbar either side of half-time and substitute Luka Jovic struck the base of the post with four minutes to play.
Champions Barca lead their great rivals by two points after 18 matches, having dispatched Alaves 4-1 on Saturday, while Athletic edge up to seventh and remain firmly in the European hunt
Standings
Match Events
19' OFF THE BAR! Kroos almost scores
Kroos comes within inches of handing Madrid the lead. The German runs through the middle of the Bilbao defence and tries to fire the ball into the roof of the net, only to see his effort come off the underside of the bar and bounce out.
30' So close from Benzema!
Modric angles a cross with the outside of his boot towards the run of Benzema, but Lekue makes an important header at the back post to clear behind away from the Frenchman.
43' OFFSIDE! Kodro scores but goal is disallowed
Vesga threads the ball through the legs of Militao towards Kodro on the edge of the box. The forward takes a touch and drills his effort past Courtois into the top-left corner.
However, his celebrations are short lived as the flag goes up for offside. Kodro was inches offside.
56' Militao goes off injured
Militao is forced off with his eye injury and is replaced by Nacho.
59' CROSSBAR! Nacho almost scores
Kroos swings the corner into a dangerous position and Nacho gets there ahead of Martinez to head at goal. However, his effort cannons off the bar before Ramos fouls Simon from the follow-up.
65' NO PENALTY! Mendy tackled down in penalty area
Mendy surges into the box down the left flank and takes a touch inside. He goes down under pressure from Lekue, but the referee is not interested in Madrid's appeals for a penalty.
71' What a hit by Bale!
WIDE! Bale turns with menace from the right flank to cut in to shoot on his left foot. He curls an effort towards goal, but his attempt drifts wide of the left post.
86' POST! Jovic almost scores
Carvajal puts a fine cross into the middle for Jovic to rise and head at goal. He directs his effort towards the far corner. It looks to be heading into the bottom-left corner, but it clips the inside of the post and bounces out.
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