For the second straight week Real Madrid dropped points in La Liga play. Aritz Aduriz's first-half header was all Athletic Bilbao needed to knock off the league leaders, leaving Madrid in danger of falling out of the top spot pending Barcelona's match on Sunday.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid 2015 final score: Madrid fall 1-0 in the Basque Country
Madrid could find themselves in second place by the end of the weekend thanks to a tremendous performance from Athletic.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid weren’t particularly impressive early in the match, failing to hold possession as they allowed Athletic to gain some confidence. As Carlo Ancelotti stomped around the coaching box looking frustrated, Athletic’s attack got closer and closer, until finally in the 26th minute, they opened the scoring.
Aritz Aduriz did the damage, cutting right in front of Pepe as he moved from left to right in the Madrid penalty area. Mikel Rico's cross was placed perfectly, finding Aduriz who went up and headed the ball past a diving Iker Casillas to make it 1-0.
Madrid came out of the locker room looking like a new team as they put Athletic under immediate and consistent pressure. Better midfield play and more aggressive movement allowed Madrid to stretch out Athletic’s formation, opening up holes for them to exploit.
The goal wouldn’t come though, thanks in large part to some tremendous goalkeeping from Gorka Iraizoz. The Athletic defenders did a good job of getting the ball out of danger, but when they couldn’t make the play, their goalkeeper was there to deny Madrid the equalizer.
Gareth Bale got what was probably Madrid's best chance of the game late in the second half, but his shot was denied by the woodwork. It was also the only time that Gorka was truly beaten in the whole match, as the Athletic keeper was caught in no man's land by Bale's shot.
The result leaves Madrid two just point clear of Barcelona, who could take over the top spot in La Liga win a win on Sunday.
Athletic: Iraizoz, Iraola, Gurpegi, Etxeitia, Balenziaga, Beñat, Mikel Rico (Toquero 91’), Ińaki Williams (Fernández 75’), De Marcos, Muniain (Susaeta 64’), Aduriz
Goals: Aduriz (26’)
Real Madrid: Casillas, Marcelo, Varane, Pepe, Carvajal, Isco, Kroos (Lucas Silva 76’), Illarramendi (Jese 71’), Ronaldo, Benzema (Chicharito 80’), Bale
Goals: None
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