Rodrygo makes Real Madrid strong

Rodrygo makes Real Madrid strong

The Brazilian responded for the leader against an Athletic that failed to reach fourth place and the Bernabéu test prior to the Cup

MADRID, 31 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Madrid beat Athletic Club (2-0) this Sunday on matchday 30 of LaLiga EA Sports to prevent the excitement of the fight for the title with the advantage of eight points again, thanks to two great goals from Rodrygo Goes that knocked down to a Cup finalist who did not have the best feelings at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Carlo Ancelotti's men made an important day easy, or at least the Brazilian forward, who scored two quality goals, driving with the ball and finishing perfectly, one in each half. FC Barcelona had moved within five points, but the leader responded to remain comfortable two days before the Classic.

Madrid, without Vinícius, was the one who continued its triumphant march to continue fine-tuning at the key moment of the season, with Manchester City as the next stop. Ernesto Valverde's men stood up, but not as they had been doing. Without Nico Williams, no spark or ideas in attack, the Basques fell into the trap.

The game did not have the expected pace in the first half. Neither one team nor the other was comfortable in the game. Madrid suffered from the pressure from Athletic, they were not calm with the ball and played many minutes in their field. Meanwhile, the Basque team lacked depth and some precision in their ball recoveries.

Furthermore, at half-time what made the difference was a great goal from Rodrygo, who led to finding the ideal position to make it 1-0 with a great shot after eight minutes. The early goal marked the period, with Madrid somewhat more comfortable in their advantage, without rhythm but without the best version of Athletic either.

The 'lions' regretted Yeray's injury and Vivian entered, aiming more for the Cup eleven. The recent Spanish international had to save a goal pass to Jude Bellingham, the second chance for the whites. In the subsequent corner, Tchouaméni also touched the goal. At the back, Madrid did not concede a single shot on goal, meaning that they were reinforced in terms of points and on the scoreboard.

After passing through the locker room, the need was for an Athletic team with important objectives and who, after 45 minutes, had not shown their credentials to be a Champions team and win the Copa del Rey in six days. However, the second half was close to starting like the first. Rodrygo rode the ball down the wing again and gave it to Brahim with a perfect pass.

The debutant with Morocco during this break crashed the ball into the post and Madrid almost missed the penalty. By a hair's breadth, the script was different and Athletic took the opportunity to take the step of looking at Lunin's goal. The first thing the Ukrainian goalkeeper had to save was a tremendous volley from Iñaki Williams in the 50th minute.

The Basque striker finished off a corner kick at the far post, a visitor's response that, without moving the score, livened up the game. Ancelotti saw his team suffer again to overcome the pressure from Valverde's team, but that intensity did not last either.

The leader, somewhat disconcerted by a decision by Alberola Rojas with a possible penalty, sentenced the counter, joining back and going out again with Rodrygo. The Brazilian could well have been Vinícius's partner, absent due to suspension, in the 2-0, superior on the wing, leaving rivals behind. From there, Athletic saw their option of arriving more motivated if possible to Seville disappear.

Valverde's team suspended the Bernabéu test, ahead of the final against Mallorca, and opened the door to fourth place for Atlético de Madrid. Meanwhile, Anceoltti's men, with the return of Eder Militao after his long injury, reinforce their status as favorites to win the League and feed their advantage in the Champions League.

--RESULT: REAL MADRID, 2 - ATHLETIC CLUB, 0. (1-0, at halftime).

REAL MADRID: Lunin; Carvajal (Militao, min.92), Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Kroos (Camavinga, min.81), Tchouameni, Valverde (Lucas Vázquez, min.81), Bellingham; Rodrygo (Modric, min.81) and Brahim (Joselu, min.72).

ATHLETIC CLUB: Agirrezabala; De Marcos (Yuri, min.57), Paredes, Yeray (Vivian, min.25), Lekue; Vesga, Prados (Galarreta, min.58); Iñaki Williams, Sancet (Muniain, min.76), Berenguer; Cross (Adu Ares, min.58).

--GOLES: 1 - 0, min.8, Rodrygo.

2 - 0, min.73, Rodrygo.

--REFEREE: Alberola Rojas (C.Castellano-manchego). He cautioned Tchouameni (min.57), Nacho (min.71) for Madrid. And Galarreta (mi.87) in Athletic.

--Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.