Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti was all smiles after his side’s gritty 1-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, a result that not only kept their La Liga title hopes alive but also showcased their resilience following a tough Champions League exit.
The match, held at the Santiago Bernabéu, saw Federico Valverde score a late goal, securing three points for the reigning Spanish champions. The win moved them to 69 points, just four behind leaders Barcelona, as they chase their 35th La Liga title.
A Crucial Moment for Valverde and Real Madrid
It wasn’t the most scintillating of performances, but Ancelotti was pleased with how his team bounced back. “Valverde was the key because he scored the goal,” Ancelotti said in his post-match comments. Despite struggling to find their rhythm in the first half, Real Madrid were able to dig deep and put in a solid performance after the break. “The team did well. We were a bit slower in the first half, but in the second half, we did very well in every aspect,” the manager added.
Ancelotti emphasized that the win was not just about the result, but about the collective effort. “We wanted to win, to bounce back after being knocked out of the Champions League,” he said. The team responded to that disappointment in the best way possible, playing with determination and aggression. The defensive unit stood firm, preventing Athletic Bilbao from causing too much trouble, and the midfield was able to control the game after the break.
A Tale of Two Halves for Real Madrid
The first half of the game didn’t provide much excitement for the home crowd. Real Madrid struggled to break down Bilbao’s defense, with their usual creative flair seemingly absent. “We controlled the first half, we didn’t feel any pressure from Athletic, but we didn’t create any chances,” Ancelotti explained. There were no clear-cut opportunities, and it seemed like Real Madrid’s lack of sharpness could cost them.
However, the second half saw a different side of Los Blancos. Ancelotti opted to tweak his tactics, shifting Jude Bellingham into a false nine role, which had worked so well for them in previous seasons. “We didn’t use it in the first half, but we did in the second. We attacked many times from the outside and he was there to finish it off,” said the manager. This change gave the team a more dynamic presence up front and allowed them to push forward with greater intent.
Bellingham, who had been involved in numerous attacking plays, was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself. “He deserved to score,” Ancelotti remarked, acknowledging the English midfielder’s tireless work and intelligence in the final third. While it was Valverde who ultimately found the back of the net, Bellingham’s positioning and movement in the final third were instrumental in unlocking Athletic Bilbao’s defense.
Keeping the Pressure on Barcelona
With the win, Real Madrid moved to within four points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. While they still face an uphill battle to catch their arch-rivals, Ancelotti remains confident in his team’s ability to fight until the end. The manager expressed his belief that the league title is still within reach, provided his players continue to show the same mentality and resilience.
“We are in second place now, and the objective is to continue winning and putting pressure on Barcelona,” Ancelotti stated. The remaining weeks of the season will be crucial for both teams, and Real Madrid will need to remain focused and consistent if they are to have any chance of lifting the title.
The Road Ahead for Real Madrid
Looking ahead, Ancelotti knows there’s still a lot of work to be done. The team’s performance against Athletic Bilbao, while encouraging, will need to be followed up with similar displays in their upcoming fixtures. While the victory was important, Ancelotti will be keen to ensure his team improves in some areas, particularly in terms of creating more opportunities in the first half of matches.
The challenge is not just to catch Barcelona, but to continue building momentum. Real Madrid has shown they have the character to respond to setbacks, but whether they can keep up with their rivals remains to be seen. As the season nears its conclusion, every game will feel like a final.
With Valverde’s goal securing the win, and Bellingham continuing to impress in his new role, Real Madrid appears to be finding its groove at just the right moment.
