A great Fede Valverde goal spoils a great defensive display at the Bernabéu
Athletic Club fell in the dying minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. Fede Valverde's 92nd-minute wonder strike ruined the Lions' outstanding defensive display against Real Madrid.
Ernesto Valverde rotated massively in order to offset the fatigue brought on by the huge effort against Rangers FC on Thursday night. Only Alex Berenguer remained in the starting eleven. Los Leones hardly got a look at Thibaut Courtois' goal but, with the exception of a Vinicis shot over the bar, Unai Simón was rarely troubled either.
Real Madrid stepped up a gear in the second half. Rodrygo threatened with a strike across goal that went wide and Eduardo Camavinga drew a save from Simón.
The Zurigorri's main chance of the night came on the hour mark. Berenguer played Unai Gomez into space and the attacking midfielder's low drive was parried wide by Courtois.
Aitor Paredes blocked a Jude Bellingham shot at close range and then Vinicius saw a goal ruled out after the referee checked the on-pitch VAR screen and judged Endrick to have been offside in the build-up.
Just as Athletic seemed to have wrapped up a crucial point, one which would've maintained the gap between ourselves and Villarreal, Valverde struck a killer blow.
Now it's time to rest and recover. We'll need all our strengths to get a crucial win over a resurgent Las Palmas at San Mames on Wednesday evening.
