Real Madrid Secures Dramatic Victory Against Athletic Bilbao

Key Victory in Title Race

In a thrilling match on Sunday, Real Madrid edged out Athletic Bilbao with a dramatic 1-0 victory, thanks to a stunning goal from Federico Valverde in the 93rd minute. The win comes after Barcelona’s previous comeback against Celta Vigo, where they scored late to secure a 4-3 victory, heightening the stakes for Real Madrid in the title race.

Ancelotti’s Comments on the Match

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who reportedly faced pressure regarding his job security before the game, expressed a mix of relief and focus following the match. He stated, “We didn’t try the game plan we’re preparing for the cup final against Barcelona.” Ancelotti also commented on the officiating during the match, particularly regarding a missed penalty decision: “I have no complaints about the disallowed goal by Vinicius but I am frustrated that VAR did not ask Juan Martínez to review the clear foul on Bellingham in the box.”

Players Reflect on Performance

The performance of Real Madrid drew praise from both Ancelotti and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ancelotti noted the team’s improvement after a slow first half, stating, “We were a bit slow in the first half, but after the break, we showed inspiration in every aspect of the game. We wanted this victory to stay in the race after our Champions League elimination, and Pede was the key player.”

Vinicius Junior, who had faced a dip in form, delivered an improved performance, prompting Ancelotti to highlight his vital role in upcoming matches: “I loved his involvement in the game. He will be very important for us moving forward.”

Courtois praised Valverde’s unique goal-scoring ability, saying, “Pede has found a way to score amazing goals. Even in our last training session, he struck the ball in a way that defied explanation. We’ve been telling him for years to shoot more during games.”

Upcoming Challenges

Real Madrid will face Getafe in the 33rd round of La Liga later this week, followed by a crucial showdown against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in Seville on Saturday. Ancelotti’s squad, eager to avenge earlier defeats to their rivals this season, aims to secure the title to provide some consolation following their recent elimination from the Champions League.

As the pressure mounts, Real Madrid’s performance will be crucial in determining their success in the final stretch of this season