The strategic aims of Benzema and Kroos illuminate three key points in the race for the national title
Real Madrid collected three crucial points on the road to sealing the league crown. The team won 0-2, courtesy of goals from Benzema and Kroos, extending the momentum after Barcelona’s recent results and underscoring how Villarreal’s comeback became a turning point this season.
Athletic, backed by the raucous atmosphere of San Mamés, pressed Real Madrid hard and forced Courtois into several important saves in the first half. Real Madrid struck first, though. A cross from Valverde deflected awkwardly by Asensio still left the ball alive, allowing Benzema to strike from midair after a spin to score a memorable goal.
After the break, Athletic pushed for an equalizer and created chances, but could not convert. Iñaki Williams appeared to level the score ten minutes from the end, but the goal was ruled out for a positional offside by Guruzeta. Kroos then sealed the result with a second goal, finishing a move initiated by Rodrygo.
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Athletic Bilbao post-match reflections on Real Madrid in LaLiga 2022-2023
Nacho, after the game
“Securing the win here felt extremely important. Every match is a final. Barcelona had won earlier, and that made this victory essential.”
“Glad to contribute and keep adding. I take pride in giving my best every time I step onto the pitch.”
“Of course I’m not always happy with every moment, but taking things day by day and winning today brings satisfaction.”
“Karim’s impact is immense. He adds so much with his goals, and he did so last season as well. Here’s hoping for a similar contribution this year.”
Inaki Williams, after the game
“The support at San Mamés is unbelievable. It’s a privilege to wear the Athletic jersey. The crowd has stood by us through thick and thin, and that’s uplifting.”
“We gave everything. We were perhaps unlucky with a bit of fortune, and Real Madrid has its way of pressing when you dominate.”
Ancelotti, in press conference
“I did not risk starting Modric and Kroos; rest and rotation matter to keep the squad fresh. Ceballos and Asensio deserved the chance for their performances against Villarreal, and Luka could have played but I chose differently. We defended well today.”
“We did not defend as effectively in recent games, but today the team showed solid discipline against a strong Athletic side. The defensive effort was notable.”
“Vinicius is a exceptional talent and a thoughtful person. He faces heavy scrutiny from rivals, fans, and sometimes officials. He received a yellow card and was challenged—attention and respect around him should be more balanced.”
“I told Vinicius to stay calm and communicate. He played superbly as he always does.”
“Nacho is versatile—right back, center back, left back. He delivers consistently, and every coach would be glad to have him. It’s great to see players who have less time on the pitch continuing to contribute. Camavinga had an outstanding game. There will be more games, including Thursday and Sunday, and even travel to Morocco ahead.”
“The atmosphere here is electric, demanding but controllable. It’s clear that the home support is not an adversary; it’s part of the challenge.”
“If there was a plan B, I wouldn’t know what plan A is, because the aim is always to win the game.”
Minute-by-minute update
Last call: Real Madrid secures victory at San Mamés and sits three points behind Barcelona
Minute 90. Kroos scores! Rodrygo recovers the ball, feeds Kroos, and the midfielder finishes with a classic shot into the far corner to make it 0-2.
Minute 88. Benzema looks set for a goal as Kroos’ cross finds him, but the header drifts wide.
Minute 85. Kroos replaces Ceballos; Raúl García comes on for Vesga.
Minute 81. Rodrygo enters as Vinicius departs amid the San Mamés roar.
Minute 79. Athletic nearly level again as a move runs close to Courtois’ goal line.
Minute 77. Iñaki Williams’ effort is ruled offside after Guruzeta’s initial position is flagged, curbing a potential equalizer.
Minute 75. Athletic make a change: Lekue replaces De Marcos.
Minute 72. Modric comes on for Asensio.
Minute 69. Nico Williams strikes squandered chances after a miscue from Mendy leaves a gap in front of court.
Minute 66. Athletic rotate: Muniain, Herrera, and Guruzeta enter as Sancet, Berenguer, and Zarraga depart.
Minute 65. Asensio nearly finds the net again; Benzema’s layoff to Valverde creates a late chance that drifts just wide.
Minute 60. Nacho makes a crucial cross to block a clear shot—an essential intervention.
Minute 58. Unai Simón nearly keeps out another effort from Nacho in tight spaces.
Minute 55. Athletic push for the draw while Real Madrid looks to counter — the game remains open.
Minute 46. The second half begins with Real Madrid maintaining possession and seeking a decisive goal.
Pause: Real Madrid led thanks to Benzema’s opener after a dominant first half.
Minute 44. Vesga shoots from outside, but misses the target.
Minute 39. Yuri Berchiche suffers a dislocated finger but continues after a quick replacement option was used.
Minute 24. Goal by Benzema! Valverde’s cross is touched by Asensio, who cannot finish, but Benzema times the rebound perfectly and scores.
Minute 18. Nacho’s run is fed by Ceballos; a sharp block by the defender and Paredes clears the corner.
Minute 16. Nico Williams nearly caps a strong foray with a shot that thunders against the post, keeping Athletic’s pressure alive.
Minute 10. Courtois foils the early chance with a sharp save as Athletic press in the box.
Minute 6. Benzema reaches the ball after Mendy’s run and finishes, but the shot climbs high.
Minute 3. Athletic comes out with intensity, feeding a need for strong defending from Real Madrid.
Minute 1. The match kicks off at San Mamés.
20:55 | The stadium roars as players depart the field.
20:30 | The teams warm up as kickoff approaches.
7:50 pm | Athletic confirms their starting lineup with Zarraga and Berenguer beginning.
7:30 pm | Ancelotti leaves Modric and Kroos on the bench; Toni Kroos rests and Rodrygo goes on as a substitute.
7 pm | Real Madrid confirms the lineup without Modric or Kroos. Courtois, Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Camavinga, Ceballos, Valverde, Asensio, Vinicius, and Benzema start.
6:30 pm | Both teams arrive after cup success and prepare for a quarter-final clash on Thursday against Valencia and Atletico Madrid respectively.
6 pm | Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid wrap up Sunday’s La Liga action in San Mamés. Both sides seek victory to keep Europe and title hopes intact.
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The great statistical preview for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
- Athletic have not won any of their last 14 La Liga matches against Real Madrid (D4 D10) and have suffered five straight losses, their longest winless stretch against the Whites in the top flight.
- Real Madrid have earned points in seven straight visits to Athletic in La Liga (W5 D2), winning the last three by a single goal margin since a 1-0 defeat in March 2015, with both teams led by Ancelotti and Valverde at different times.
- Real Madrid have not lost in their last 11 visits to Basque Country sides in La Liga (W10 D1), since a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad in May 2019.
- Athletic have not lost their last three home games in La Liga without conceding a goal – only Barcelona (7) have more such clean sheets this season.
- Athletic is the La Liga side that commits the most fouls to earn a yellow card this season, averaging 1 foul per 7.4 fouls and totaling 29 yellows.
- Real Madrid have allowed at least 10 shots in each of their last four La Liga outings, a mark they had rarely hit in the prior top nine games.
- Karim Benzema has scored in his last four La Liga matches for Real Madrid (five goals total); he has 16 career goals against Athletic in La Liga, more than against any other opponent.
- Vinícius Júnior (15) and Nico Williams (11) are two of La Liga’s top passers leading to goal-scoring chances this season, alongside Ousmane Dembélé of Barcelona (14).
- Raúl García is the most frequent Ancelotti-era substitute in La Liga this century (151 appearances) and among the top this season (14), while Real Madrid are the most common opponents against whom he has not yet scored in the league (29).
- Athletic’s coach Ernesto Valverde has not lost in his last five La Liga meetings with Real Madrid, though those clashes were previously when Valverde was with Barcelona, not with Athletic against the Whites in his most recent spell.
Where to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid live?
Probable lineups for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao (1-4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; From Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, Yuri; Vesga, Dani García; Nico Williams, Sancet, Inaki Williams, Raúl García
Real Madrid (1-4-3-3): Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Ceballos, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius
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