
Fede Valverde was the hero
Real Madrid returned to La Liga action after their UEFA Champions League elimination by taking on Athletic Club at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday night, securing a late 1-0 win over the Basque side courtesy of a Fede Valverde rocket in the third minute of injury time.
Three answers
1. How would Real Madrid react?
Following on from the hurt of Wednesday night, this was set to be a real test of this Real Madrid team’s resolve to see if they could stand up and be counted. The criticism following that loss was harsh and intense across Spanish media and among the club’s fans, and Carlo Ancelotti did not shy away from putting his key players in the heat of the fire with his team selection. While they didn’t shine, providing a convincing win, Real Madrid did show defensive strength which was what was most needed. If Ancelotti was looking for a reset, that starts by building the foundations from the back through his defensive unit, and that was exactly what happened with Real Madrid’s first clean sheet at the Bernabéu since February, following six games in a row conceding at home.
2. Would Real Madrid improve upon December’s defeat in Bilbao?
Ironically, Real Madrid seem to have come up against Athletic whenever they’ve hit rock bottom this season. The 2-1 defeat in December at San Mamés, Kylian Mbappé penalty miss included, was arguably the lowest point, coming after the Clásico defeat and Champions League losses to Milan and Liverpool. Both Mbappé and Ancelotti have spoken of that being a turning point, going eight unbeaten after that game. Here, Real Madrid were again at a low ebb and came up against Athletic. The two games had little in common, with the hostility of San Mamés making a significant difference, and Athletic fielding a weakened side and option for a more conservative approach, but it was just as testing for Real Madrid to get the result.
3. Would Athletic Club put up a fight?
On paper, this game should have been an incredibly tough fixture against the fourth-best team in La Liga. In reality, there was very little pressure on Ernesto Valverde’s side to get a result. Athletic haven’t won at the Bernabéu since 2005, and it was evident from the coach’s team selection that he was not willing to take any risks as he made 10 changes to his line-up. The Leones were involved in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night and face Manchester United in the semi-finals in 11 days. Even so, Athletic hadn’t lost in La Liga since March 1st, and their most recent league loss before that came in early October. It was no surprise that Athletic could make life difficult for Real Madrid right until the very end, only surrendering in injury time once Valverde had also brought his stronger options off the bench.
Three questions
1. Is Kylian Mbappé becoming the scapegoat?
The fall-out from the defeat to Arsenal continued, but perhaps unexpectedly, it was a man who wasn’t on the pitch who bore the brunt of the fans’ frustration. Sat in the stands, Kylian Mbappé was both suspended, after his red card against Alavés, and injured, after suffering a knock to the ankle against Arsenal. When he was shown on the Bernabéu screens, there was a significant portion of the stands whistling and booing the Frenchman. More than they had such a reaction against anyone else, Carlo Ancelotti included. The difference is that Ancelotti, whatever he may have got wrong in recent weeks, has won more trophies with Real Madrid than any other coach. He has that credit in the bank. Mbappé had a good two or three months mid-season, but is yet to justify his salary or his superstar reputation. The Bernabéu aren’t willing to forgive him so easily.
2. Was this Vinícius Júnior’s best performance in months?
The truth is that the Real Madrid performance was one which could have been much more promising, the xG of 2.41 being their highest in any game since January. Among the highlights was the performance of Vinícius Júnior, who produced one of his best performances since missing out on the Ballon d’Or in October. Playing alongside Rodrygo in attack, but operating almost as a lone striker, he created more chances than anyone else on the field with six, completed more dribbles than anyone else with five and won more free-kicks than anyone else with three. The only thing missing from his game was the end product, where his four shots were all either blocked or from distance. It was promising from the Brazilian, who seemed to have recovered his spark, but it remains to be seen how he can produce this kind of performance with Kylian Mbappé on the field.
3. Where would Real Madrid be without Fede Valverde?
Another goal involvement from Fede Valverde just when it was needed. Without the Uruguayan’s goals and assists, Real Madrid would be eight points further behind Barcelona and wouldn’t have made it past Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. He is one of the few players who can’t be accused of shying away from the big moments, and his extraordinary finish here, converting a 0.02 xG effort in injury time into a match-winning goal, once again showed what he adds to the Real Madrid armoury that no other player has provided, at least consistently. While Real Madrid recorded an impressive amount of xG and 22 shots in total, none of them tested Unai Simón that seriously until this effort left him with no chance. Once again, Valverde showed why he’s one of the characters in this team who has what it takes to be a leader.