Federico Valverde’s Last-Minute Heroics Secure Real Madrid’s Victory Over Athletic Club
In a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid managed to snatch a dramatic 1-0 victory over Athletic Club, thanks to a stunning 93rd-minute goal by Federico Valverde. This win was a much-needed response for Carlo Ancelotti’s side following their disappointing exit from the Champions League earlier in the week.
The first half of the match was rather uneventful, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. However, the second half saw a significant improvement from Real Madrid, with Vinícius Júnior emerging as the standout player. Despite having a goal disallowed for offside, Vinícius’s performance was a testament to his resilience amidst recent criticism from fans.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, was full of praise for Valverde, describing him as “the key” to the team’s success. “The team played well. We were a bit slower in the first half, but in the second half we did well. We wanted to win, to react after our elimination. The team delivered, and Fede was the key player,” Ancelotti stated in his post-match news conference.
The victory leaves Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona in the LaLiga table. This result is crucial as Ancelotti’s side aims to bounce back from their Champions League quarterfinals elimination by Arsenal.
Vinícius Júnior’s Redemption
Vinícius Júnior has faced his fair share of criticism in recent weeks, with some fans at the Bernabéu even whistling at him. However, his committed display against Athletic Club was a clear response to his detractors. Ancelotti was quick to commend Vinícius, saying, “Vinicius is extraordinary. He has a fantastic attitude. He scored the [disallowed] goal, played some key passes for [Jude] Bellingham, he was decisive as always.”
The Brazilian international appeared to have put Madrid ahead in the 80th minute, but his goal was ruled out by VAR due to Endrick being in an offside position. Despite this setback, Ancelotti remains confident in Vinícius’s abilities, stating, “They haven’t been happy days for [Vini] or for us. I liked his reaction on the pitch a lot. He’ll be very important in the coming games, I have no doubts about that.”
Upcoming Challenges for Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, as they are set to visit Getafe on Wednesday in LaLiga, followed by a crucial Copa del Rey final against Barcelona next Saturday. With Kylian Mbappé missing due to suspension and a minor ankle injury, Ancelotti opted to play Jude Bellingham as a false nine, a role that proved effective in his first season with Madrid.
Ancelotti reflected on this tactical decision, saying, “It’s the position that gave us a big advantage last season. [Bellingham] did well in the second half. We got on the outside a lot, put crosses in, and he was smart in the box. He deserved to score.”
- Real Madrid’s current position: Four points behind Barcelona in LaLiga.
- Next matches: Getafe (LaLiga) and Barcelona (Copa del Rey final).
- Key players: Federico Valverde, Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham.
As Real Madrid continues to navigate a challenging season, the contributions of players like Valverde and Vinícius will be crucial in their pursuit of domestic success. The team’s ability to respond to setbacks and deliver in crucial moments will undoubtedly be tested in the coming weeks.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland,Rodrigo Faez
