RSS
ATOM
Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Real Madrid: Llorente And Iraizoz Frustrate Merengues
An early goal from Fernando Llorente proved too much for the visitors...
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.00 | Draw £42.00 | Lokomotiv £70.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.00 | Draw £47.50 | Lokomotiv £75.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.00 | Draw £43.33 | Lokomotiv £80.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.00 | Draw £45.00 | Lokomotiv £80.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Bilbao £14.00 | Draw £47.00 | Lokomotiv £80.00 |
|
Jan 16, 2010 8:55:00 PM
By Arjun Migliani
La Liga - Fixtures/Results
Athletic Bilbao took an early lead against Real Madrid and held on to earn their first win against Los Merengues at the San Mames in five years.
As expected, Karim Benzema replaced Gonzalo Higuain in Real Madrid's line-up, while Gaizka Toquero and Fernando Llorente led the line for Bilbao.
Real Madrid had won on their last four visits to the San Mames, but they were highly fortunate not to go behind within the first minute. Carlos Gurpegi's snapshot from distance looked destined for the back of the net before it rebounded back off the post, and Toquero could only follow it up by hitting the other post.
Los Merengues barely had enough time to count their blessings though, as Athletic scored from one of the resulting corners. Yeste's corner found its way to Llorente in the six yard box, and he made no mistake in nodding past Iker Casillas.
It took seven minutes for the visitors to register their first shot on target, when Benzema's effort was well parried away by Gorka Iraizoz. This prompted a prolonged spell of possession, but the keeper was on hand once again to deny the French striker minutes later.
Having taken the lead, Bilbao seemed intent on sticking 11 men behind the ball. They had a stroke of luck when Ronaldo got a touch on a Sergio Ramos cross, as the winger watched on only to see the ball loop agonzingly up onto the top of the bar. The woodwork was playing a major role in the game as Benzema found out just past the half hour, when he raced on to Kaka's ball only to hit the post.
Los Merengues continued to dominate possession, with Iraizoz coming to the rescue on the stroke of half-time to keep Xabi Alonso's rasping drive out. That proved to be the final chance of the first period, as Athletic went into the break ahead, having successfully held Madrid out after taking an early lead.
The second half did not get off to as frantic a start as the first, as both sides struggled to create any clear cut chances. On the hour mark, in an attempt to add more creativity to his side, Manuel Pellegrini brought Guti on for Marcelo. Soon, the visitors had created the best chance of the half, but the one-two between Benzema and Ronaldo ended with the Portguese star shooting straight at Iraizoz.
Seconds later Guti had his first chance to make an impact with a free-kick from just outside the box, but once more the ball flew straight at the keeper. Shots from range seemed to be the order of the day, but Iraizoz was not going to be beaten by another strike from Kaka.
With twenty minutes remaining, Ronaldo and Kaka combined to devastating effect, and it seemed as though a goal was the only possible outcome, but somehow the Brazilian shanked the ball over the bar from six yards out. More shots continued to rain in, but Iraizoz had no trouble in dealing with Alonso's latest effort.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Benzema was withdrawn for Raul as Los Merengues desperately searched for an equalizer. Kaka soon had another snapshot but, predictably enough, Iraizoz was there to tip it behind.
Time was running out for Madrid, and they nearly went further behind when Llorente broke free on the counter, only to shoot straight at Casillas. Then, at the start of stoppage time, Ronaldo let fly again, but his nemesis Iraizoz was on hand once more to palm it behind.
With seconds left, Gurpegi was sent off for picking up his second yellow, but Ronaldo could make nothing of the resulting free-kick, which confirmed their third loss of the season, giving Barcelona the chance to jump further clear when they play Sevilla.
Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
53 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Basel 1-0 Bayern
Goal.com assesses the individuals on show as the Swiss champions shocked the Bavarian giants at St. Jakob-Park
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Marseille 1-0 Inter
Goal.com evaluates the performances of those involved in the last 16 clash at the Stade Velodrome, a game decided by Andre Ayew's last-gasp goal
-
Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Porto
Roberto Mancini's side book their place in the last 16 with a convincing victory thanks to goals from Aguero, Dzeko, Silva and Pizarro
-
Lavezzi sends Napoli close to dreamland
The Azzurri have half-a-foot in the quarter-finals after claiming their latest San Paolo scalp, but the Londoners will be thanking their lucky stars the defeat wasn't heavier
-
Real Madrid should have killed off CSKA Moscow
Jose Mourinho's men went ahead through Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half strike, but the Portuguese missed two good chances to make the game safe and his side paid the price
Advertisement
Advertisement
