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Three lessons learned from Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club
One of Real Madrid’s most daunting fixtures of the league calendar passed rather smoothly on Sunday night when they took on Athletic Club at home.
With their Cup final later this week, Ernesto Valverde’s men were very cautious with their approach to the game, thus playing the cards to Real Madrid’s favour.
A 2-0 win was the final result that emerged from the 90-minute tussle, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men retained their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
With only eight league games left to go, the title is inching closer to having the Merengues’ name etched on it.
Madrid Universal brings you three lessons learned from Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club.
A favourable change in position
Vinicius Jr.’s suspension against Athletic Club was expected to play a big role in how Real Madrid approached the fixture. After all, the Brazilian has been the engine in the Merengues’ attack for several games now.
Brahim Diaz took Vincius’ spot in the starting lineup as expected, with Jude Bellingham returning to the XI after suspension as well. The novelty in Carlo Ancelotti’s approach, however, came in the positioning of Rodrygo Goes.
The Brazilian phenom, who has played on the right flank all season, was given a run on the left flank. Replacing Vinicius Jr in his niche, he took over the responsibility from his compatriot and shone like none other.
The 23-year-old was Real Madrid’s best player by far last night, constantly threatening the Basque defence with his menacing runs.
Just eight minutes after kickoff, the youngster scored an absolute gobsmacker to give his side the lead. Receiving the ball on the left flank, he cut onto his right foot and sent a curling shot right into the top corner from the edge of the box.
In 81 minutes, the Brazilian phenom completed two dribbles, created one big chance and had one shot on target. Furthermore, he even recorded two key passes on the night.
Rodrygo added the icing to the cake with a superb finish in the second half, completing his brace and earning the man of the match award.
The change in position thus worked well for Rodrygo and will go a long way in boosting his confidence. He will, however, be forced to return to the right in upcoming games with Vini’s return.
A hero’s return
Away from all the hard-fought action that unfolded at the Santiago Bernabeu last night, there was an event in extra-time that got the stadium on its feet.
Indeed, Eder Militao made his much-awaited return from injury last night as he came on to replace Dani Carvajal in the 92nd minute. He was on the field for just one minute, but those 60 seconds sent the Bernabeu and the player through a roller-coaster of emotions.
The past year has not been easy for the Brazilian defender. An injury against Athletic Club on Matchday 1 ruled him out of action for close to the entire season, and he has spent months dreaming of a potential return this season.
After eight months of relentless effort on the sidelines, unexpected setbacks and more hard work, Militao made the squad to face the same team he was injured against.
Rightly so, Ancelotti ensured that the poetic return could happen as he allowed the player to step on the grasses of the Bernabeu last night.
Real Madrid must not look to rush matters with the Brazilian, for managing his minutes and incorporating him slowly will be key in preventing any relapses. Now that the process of his return has begun, fans can look forward to longer cameos by the star defender.
Real Madrid are ready
El Clasico is usually the highlight of the footballing calendar for both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Yet, it will only be the third most important game Los Blancos play in April.
The highlight of Real Madrid’s calendar for April is the Champions League tie against Manchester City. Fighting for a place in the final four, both sides will take to the field twice this month, the first of which is the team’s next game.
With less than ten days left before they lock horns with Pep Guardiola’s side, it is safe to say that Real Madrid are ready for the big game.
The team was far from its best version in February, grinding out narrow wins from unconvincing games.
The comfortable win over Athletic Club last night, however, capped off a run of three straight dominant wins for Los Blancos. Having beaten Celta Vigo and Osasuna 4-0 and 4-2 respectively, they carried forward the momentum with a convincing 2-0 win over Ernesto Valverde’s side.
The confidence Real Madrid exuded on Sunday night testifies that the men in white are ready for the big game. A nine-day hiatus will only help further their preparation for the game.
Having taken apart Sevilla convincingly at the Santiago Bernabeu just days ago, Real Madrid will return to the stadium high on confidence tomorrow night when they take on RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
The Merengues are well placed in the European standings at this point, with two wins in two games, and sit comfortably in the top ten.
Leipzig, however, pose an interesting challenge, for they are a side with immense potential that is awaiting to be unlocked. The ongoing season has not been pleasant for them so far, and they will be raring for a result that can get them back on track.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will look to keep the momentum going after a solid display at the weekend, especially with Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou up next.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig.
New-look midfield
Jose Mourinho’s tactics against Sevilla worked like a gem, and for the first time this season, Real Madrid looked like a side with a structure and a plan.
The men in white controlled the game far better than one could have expected, created chances and looked like a threat going into the final third, and the biggest difference that enabled the transformation was the midfield experiment.
After the Federico Valverde-Aurelien Tchouameni double pivot failed for the nth time against AS Roma, Mourinho finally decided to make amends and try a new combination on the night.
He moved the captain to right-back and shifted Arda Guler to a deeper role alongside Tchouameni, thereby keeping the Frenchman, Valverde, Guler and Jude Bellingham all on the field simultaneously.
The result was exceptional. Guler’s presence in a deep role enabled him to playmake and control the tempo of the game while Tchouameni shielded him from the physical pressure of the game.
Bellingham connected better with the deep midfield, while Valverde offered his tireless work rate from an alternative position.
Heading into the game against Leipzig, it is a no-brainer that the manager give the new combination continuity, especially given how it is Real Madrid’s only hope of offering any competition to Barcelona’s midfield at the weekend.
If the players can offer similar stability, control, creativity and defensive solidity as they did at the weekend, it will be a massive win for Real Madrid and a confidence boost for the dressing room.
Vinicius under pressure
It was always a massive question as to whether Vinicius Jr.’s suspension was a boon or a bane for Real Madrid, and the game against Sevilla made it clear that it could well be the former.
The men in white, after all, delivered their best attacking display against Sevilla and the Brazilian’s absence actually worked out in the team’s favour.
Yan Diomande appears well set on the left flank, and Endrick is providing the team with the balance they require on the right flank. In fact, his absence has also allowed Arda Guler to start with the attacking front four.
Vinicius is suspended for Real Madrid’s next three games in La Liga, and he could well lose his spot in the starting XI if matters progress as they have been in recent days.
His performance in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow, in that sense, becomes very crucial for the European competition, as it is the only stage for him to make a case for himself at this point in time.
Vinicius will start against Leipzig, but will do so with serious pressure on him to perform. With new signings and competitors moving ahead of him on the manager’s pecking order, the player is slowly but surely running out of time.
Buildup to a grand fixture
While the game against RB Leipzig is indeed important in terms of Real Madrid’s position on the UEFA Champions League standings and their hopes to avoid playoffs, the focus will not be primarily on the game itself.
Still in the early stages of the European competition, every win is indeed precious but not a must given how Real Madrid have already secured two wins in two games.
What is a must-win for Los Blancos, at this point, is the Clasico at the weekend, and it is clear that Jose Mourinho and Co. will have one eye on that game.
Barcelona are already running away with the lead in La Liga, and the Clasico is Real Madrid’s best chance of inflicting damage on the Catalans’ score tally. Moreover, it hands them a direct chance to cut the deficit short.
Whether Mourinho will partially rotate his squad in anticipation of the game against Barcelona, thus, remains to be seen and there is a genuine case to be made for that clash to be prioritised.
Beyond resting players, there is a real need for the men in white to take all three points with dominance tomorrow, for momentum will be everything heading into El Clasico this time around.
