The Whites take three well earned points in a very intense match
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Real Madrid
December 08, 2007 -Real Madrid remain leaders in the League after defeating a hard working Athletic Bilbao side. Once again, Casillas proved to be in brilliant form by making two crucial saves. Bilbao lost at home again, but they made a good impression.
San Mamés was the best possible venue in which to break the 'curse of the away games' Real Madrid have recently been suffering from. Bernd Schuster lined up a team with a very solid midfield formed by Diarra and Baptista, two of the strongest men on the squad. He also made some changes in defence by allowing Torres to play as a starter in the left back position. Bilbao coach Joaquín Caparrós surprised all by making changes in his starting line-up in order to adapt his team to its rival. Both sides were very strong in midfield throughout the entire match, with gameplay mainly taking place down the wings. Robinho drove defender Ustaritz crazy all the time until the latter had to be replaced because of an injury close to the end of the first 45 minutes.
Close to 35,000 people packed San Mamés, turning the stadium into a pressure cooker, but Real Madrid managed to pull through when Robinho completely overtook Ustariz in the opening minutes. Nevertheless, the first chance was for the locals, but Iker Casillas -who returned to the venue where he made his debut with the Whites- cleared the ball with his right foot in the manner of a futsal keeper.
Robinho was the Madridistas' most dangerous man in the first half, exasperating Bilbao's defenders with his incredible step-overs and his speed. It seemed the fixture would be drawn 0-0 by half-time when suddenly a free-kick by Sneijder was headed into the back of the net by Ramos on the 35-minute mark, but the goal was disallowed because the Real Madrid defender was offside.
Van Nistelrooy scores
Real Madrid grew stronger in the final minutes of the first part and took the pitch with the same attitude after half-time. Finally, the only goal of the night arrived in the 60th minute when Van Nistelrooy scored a terrific shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Raúl.
From then on, Real Madrid displayed their best football, but Athletic never gave up. Van Nistelrooy faced keeper Aranzubía alone soon after his goal and dribbled the ball well a couple of times, but erred in the finishing touch. On the 70-minute mark, Robinho had a practically identical shot from which the Dutchman scored, but he hit the right post.
The last few minutes of the encounter were heart-stopping. The Lions showcased drive and great strength in their pursuit of an equaliser, but Real Madrid pretty much ruled over the game. Nevertheless, Casillas was put to the test a couple of times; first, by Iraola with a powerful shot outside the box, and second, by Llorente with a very similar strike.
In the end, the three points were for Real Madrid, who now have 35 in total and continue being leaders in the competition. This will no doubt make Schuster's team confident for the match against Lazio on Tuesday.
MATCH REPORT:
0 - Athletic Bilbao: Aranzubía, Ustaritz (Pablo Orbaiz, 40’), Aitor Ocio, Amorrebieta, Koikili, David López, Iraola, Javi Martínez (Aduriz, 60’), Fran Yeste, Llorente & Etxeberría (Gabilondo, 63’).
1 - Real Madrid: Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Torres, Diarra, Sneijder (Gago, 74’), Baptista, Robinho (Robben, 85’), Raúl & Van Nistelrooy (Guti, 78’).
REFEREE: Luis Medina Cantalejo. Booked Sneijder (43’), Robinho (71’), Orbaiz (56’), David López (57’), Amorrebieta (58’) and Yeste (75’). Athletic's second coach, Luciano Martínez, was sent off.
GOALS:
0-1, min.54: Van Nistelrooy.
NOTES: Matchday 14 of the Spanish League. Venue: San Mamés Stadium. Attendance: 35,000.
Match report by Arancha Díaz
Special correspondents to Bilbao
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
Flash Content
