Athletic Club - Real Madrid

Athletic Club has fallen to a 0-1 defeat against Real Madrid at San Mamés, but a better outcome was deserved because of their great performance as a team. This is a step backwards in our aspirations to get into European competition, but it is also a step forwards as it shows the team is ready to keep fighting until the end. It was just Dani García’s disputed penalty on Marcelo, converted by Sergio Ramos, that decided the final result.

The classic match started with Simón making a save from Asensio’s free-kick, when the players had barely had time to occupy their tactical positions. Then Athletic started to gain ground on Madrid and Raúl García had the clearest chance of the game with a header that was directed at Courtois, after a magnificent play between Capa and Unai López.

Yeray suffered an injury on 20 minutes and was substituted for Núñez, who did so well it barely affected Gaizka Garitano’s side. The only struggles they faced were because of Rodrygo. Williams created another clear chance after a pass from Muniain, but his strike went over the crossbar. He also challenged Militao in a race towards Courtois, but Oporto’s former player was up to his standards. Before the break, the only chances Zidane’s lads had was a header from Benzema after a cross from Asensio.

It was a closed match, a beautiful contest that was meant to end in a tie, but it was on 69 minutes when the controversial play took place. Dani García went to the ground in the box when trying to win a ball against Marcelo. VAR had to intervene, and the referee awarded the penalty after watching the replay. Despite guessing the direction of the kick, Ramos was able to beat Simón.

The lions got angry because VAR did not intervene later when Ramos evidently stamped on Raúl García inside the box, and they only had one opportunity to score through a play initiated by Sancet that De Marcos sent over the bar.

Losing was a real disappointment, mainly because it was unfair and painful. It was even worse since there were no spectators at San Mamés to help the lions get a better result. We must get over it quickly, in four days there is another final to play against Sevilla if we want to qualify for Europe.