Real Madrid won their last game before they face Manchester City and they did it comfortably without the need of the suspended Vinicius.
2023/2024 La Liga
2-0
Match Report
There are no league fixtures next weekend because of the Spanish Cup final and after this 2-0 victory Madrid can sit back and enjoy the view from the top of the table, eight points clear of second place Barcelona with eight games left to play.
They were up against Athletic Bilbao who will busy in six days playing that final against Mallorca. For Madrid this was a game won by the ‘other’ Brazilian – the brilliant Rodrygo, forever in Vinicius’ shadow scored twice and Athletic could offer nothing in response.
It was also Jude Bellingham’s return after his two match suspension. He drove the team on from midfield and was the creator of the second goal. And there was a third protagonist. Eder Militao has been out for seven months with a cruciate tear but he returned as a second half substitute looking in the right shape to play his part against City.
Once the second goal went in. Real Madrid supporters turned their attention to that game and held a banner up behind the South Goal urging everyone in the stadium to wear the famous white shirt for quarterfinal first leg on April 9.
For this victory Madrid were not in white. They were debuting their fourth kit and faced Athletic in purple – it was confusing because Athletic were in all white.
There was nothing confusing about the first goal however. It was pure brilliance from Rodrygo eight minutes in.
With Vinicius missing suspended his Brazilian team-mate was able to play on the left of Real Madrid’s attack where he is most comfortable.
From a long diagonal pass from Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo cut in from the left flank and beat Julen Agirrezabala with a well struck shot. It was a reminder of how good he can be playing his favourite position. It’s a shame for him that the same spot is also where, not only Vinicius, but also the in-coming Kylian Mbappe want to play.
Madrid held on to the lead into the break and might have doubled it just after the restart when the other benefactor of Vinicius’ absence, Brahim, hit the post.
Athletic went close when Iñaki Williams caught a volley perfectly but Andiy Lunin saved well.
And with Ernesto Valverde’s team leaving space at the back, and Bellingham full of running a second Madrid goal always looked more likely than an Athletic equalizer.
Bellingham was pushed over in the area by Dani Vivian but referee Javier Alberola Rojas waved away his appeals.
It didn’t matter because on 73 minutes the second goal came with Bellingham launching the counter attack and sending Rodrygo away, again down the left. He ducked past Vivian and fired past Agirrezabala.
All that was left was for Militao to trot back on to the pitch. The problem was that the ball was in play for so long it looked as though he might not make it. Finally Lunin deliberately kicked it out of play so that Militao could replace Dani Carvajal seven months and 19 days after his injury. It was the perfect end to a perfect night for Madrid.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
8' Sensational goal by Rodrygo to open the scoring! Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club
34' Kroos' long shot stopped by Julen Agirrezabala
39' Valverde close from distance. Saved...
43' SO CLOSE! Kroos' corner finds Tchouameni but his header goes just wide...
48' Brahim hits the POST...
51' WHAT A SAVE LUNIN!
54' Brahim's shot goes over...a decent chance
57' Yellow Card! Aurélien Tchouaméni booked
65' Rodrygo went down in the box, the referee gives offside
72' Brahim OFF, Joselu ON
73' Rodrygo nets brace! 15 goals and 8 assists. Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Kroos, Nacho, Carvajal, Rudiger, F Mendy, Valverde, Brahim, Andriy Lunin, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham
Subs: Modric, Joselu, Kepa, Vazquez, Ceballos, Militao, Fran García, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Fran González
Athletic Club XI: De Marcos, Y.Álvarez, Lekue, I.Williams, Vesga, Berenguer, Gorka Guruzeta, Oihan Sancet, Aitor Paredes, Beñat Prados, Julen Agirrezabala
Subs: R.García, Muniain, Herrera, Berchiche, D.García, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Asier Villalibre, Unai Simón, Dani Vivian, Imanol García de Albéniz, Adu Ares, Unai Gómez