Real Madrid 0-Athletic Club 2: Beautiful

It is already ten match-days that Athletic Club has not lost a League match and to celebrate such a rounded figure, nothing better than a victory in the best of settings and perhaps in the most difficult; against a team that had won seven consecutive matches in the League and, in addition, leaving them goalless, clearly showing that the rojiblanco team is to be taken seriously in any setting.

Leaving the European contingencies for next week, Athletic Club has prevailed 0-2 thanks to the goals by Del Horno and Iraola, having once again reaffirmed their candidacy to finish in the high spots of the table.

In the first half, Santiago Bernabéu has been witness to few goal occasions and although the marker indicated a nil-nil draw, Pablo Orbaiz has scored a great goal after surpassing Iker Casillas from a distance. The ball has hit the crossbar and bounced inside the goal, however the referee has ordered the game to continue. In addition, as the minutes passed Athletic Club has shown fewer nerves than at the beginning of the match although the hosts have not even threatened in the most difficult moments. We can highlight a few balls divided in the area and a shot by Solari that Aranzubia has deflected in the minute 26. What is more, until the halftime the two clearer occasions have been at the boots of Del Horno and Yeste, but their shots with the right have finished in the hands of Casillas.

In the second half, there has not been any change of players, but certainly of tendency. Athletic Club has come out more determined to win the match, pressing higher and more faithfully, while simultaneously obtaining greater depth. In fact, Iraola has made a great play in the 49th minute, but Casillas has guessed his intentions of lobbing the ball over his head.

For a moment, the ghosts of last season have appeared at the same scene: good game and goal by the rival. The local fans must have thought the same after seeing Ronaldo, Raul and Zidane warming up, but almost immediately afterwards Orbaiz has sent a precise cross to the area that has been met with a not less accurate header by Asier Del Horno that has placed our team ahead. The first madridista response has been that of resistance, but it seemed difficult that Luxemburgo’s players would finish a match without scoring.

In a blunder, Figo has taken advantage of a counter, but the response to the man to man by Aranzubia, and to the later closing by Beckham, has been brilliant. A minute later, Luxemburgo has called on Ronaldo, Zidane and Raul in search of the equalizer. It has not happened however and, in fact, the first and clearer option has been for Ezquerro and Etxeberria in a rejection, but without turning the clear opportunity into goal. Ronaldo, in the 72nd minute, has justified the belief that weight and danger for the rival does not have to be incompatible, however he has sent it out and Iraola, in the minute 73, has shown his cool to stop and finish off a deep serve by Ezquerro. The 0-2 seemed definitive, but the precedents of the last road trips did not invite for optimism.

Nevertheless, Aranzubia has stayed away from danger until Ronaldo and Zidane have employed him in injury time. It was too late to spoil such a wished-for and deserved win. Precious and valuable from all perspectives, the victory indicates that Athletic Club demonstrates the same solidity away as they do at home, and has done so against a team that was on a run and at the Bernabéu, setting aside as well the troubles of the European round, our next subject on a calendar that does not rest and that will surely provide us more joys.