Despite a (almost) typical eleven, Real Madrid failed to beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday in San Mamés in Liga (1-1). Barça escapes in the lead.
International truce that just ended or C1 that is about to start: Whose fault is it ? This Saturday, the Spanish cadors were not at ease. Atlético was hit by Eibar, Barça struggled to overcome the Sociedad and Real was rough in Bilbao later in the evening (1-1). However, Julen Lopetegui had opted for his eleven type except Casemiro (who came back late from his rally with the Seleçao).
The first period was largely to the advantage of Eduardo Berizzo’s men. Fair and enterprising, they were rewarded for their efforts when Muniain found himself at the conclusion of a nice collective movement (32′). Opposite, young Unai Simon, who was supposed to take over from Kepa, performed the show in his cage. He first repulsed a coiled shot from Asensio with the opposite hand (30′) and then diverted a dangerous low-level shot from Modric (38′).
On the way back from the locker room, the Spanish doorman released a new double parade in front of Bale and Ramos (59′). Until he was powerless on Isco’s equalizer head on a perfect Bale Center (64′). Revived, notably by the entrance of Casemiro, which brought balance to the middle, the Madrileens then pushed to tear off the three points. In vain. Even if they finished the match tired, the Basques held out to the end and remain undefeated. On their side, the Merengues are experiencing their first clash of the season in the league. They left the catalan rival alone in the lead, with two units. Next appointment on Wednesday with the reception of Roma for the resumption of the champions League.
The player: Isco changes the game
On the bench at kick-off, Isco stepped on the grass in the 61st minute. 120 seconds later, the all-around midfielder was in charge of equalizing. Coincidence ? That is far from certain. In a leading position, with Casemiro and Kroos behind him, the Spanish international orchestrated the majority of its actions. It proves that it remains an essential element of the Madrid squad, even if it is blocked by the solid trio of the middle Modric-Casemiro-Kroos and the dreaded trident of attack Bale-Benzema-Asensio. A luxury replacement, like under Zidane.