Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Player Ratings and Match Insights

Real Madrid faced a disappointing defeat against Athletic Bilbao, losing 2-1 in a crucial La Liga match. This match not only affected their title aspirations but also highlighted individual performances, particularly those of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.

Jude Bellingham hugging Kylian Mbappe.

Match Overview

The game took place at San Mamés, where Athletic Club took the lead with a goal from Alex Berenguer shortly after halftime. Despite a missed penalty by Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham managed to equalize for Real Madrid before Gorka Guruzeta scored the decisive goal for the hosts just minutes later. This result leaves Real Madrid four points behind Barcelona in the league standings.

Player Ratings

Key Performers

  • Jude Bellingham (8/10): Bellingham was a standout player for Real Madrid, scoring their only goal and demonstrating his ability to influence the game positively. He completed 35 passes and won 12 duels, showing resilience despite the team's overall struggle
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  • Kylian Mbappe (6/10): The French superstar had another challenging outing, missing a crucial penalty that could have shifted the momentum in Real Madrid's favor. His performance included 22 completed passes but also 14 instances of lost possession, reflecting his ongoing difficulties in front of goal

Kylian Mbappe  talking to a referee.

Other Notable Ratings

  • Thibaut Courtois (6.5/10): The goalkeeper had a mixed performance, making one significant save but conceding two goals, including a rebound that led to the first goal for Athletic
  • Antonio Rudiger (7.5/10): Rudiger was one of the few bright spots for Madrid, completing 81 passes and winning all his duels, showcasing his defensive capabilities even as the team faltered
  • Rodrygo Goes (7.5/10): Rodrygo contributed effectively with four key passes and displayed creativity in attack before being substituted late in the game

Match Analysis

Real Madrid struggled to create significant chances throughout the match, particularly in the first half. Despite some early attempts, including an offside goal from Mbappe, they failed to capitalize on their opportunities. The team’s inability to maintain possession and their defensive errors were critical factors leading to their defeat.Bellingham's performance continues to be a silver lining for Los Blancos as he has now scored in four consecutive league matches. However, Mbappe’s repeated penalty misses raise concerns about his current form and confidence levels.

LA LIGA STANDINGS

Athletic Club win's  against Real Madrid

Judgement

The clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao underscored several issues within the squad as they aim to challenge for the La Liga title. The player ratings reflect both individual brilliance from players like Jude Bellingham and disappointing performances from key figures like Kylian Mbappe. Moving forward, Real Madrid must address these inconsistencies if they hope to close the gap on Barcelona and reclaim their position at the top of La Liga.

With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies

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