Formerly Supercopa-Ko! Real Madrid submit to Athletic in the semi-finals

Match reportReal Madrid will not defend the Spanish Super Cup. The whites are defeated by Athletic Club in the semifinals by 1: 2, the tie of the tournament is very early after two errors by Lucas Vázquez. Zinédine Zidane relies on tried and tested equipment again and then sees a performance that is far too unimaginative.

Photo: imago images / EFE Agency“> Enlarge

Early ending: long faces at Ramos, Kroos and company – Photo: imago images / EFE Agency

No title defense in the Super Cup

MALAGA. A game, and already eliminated. Real Madrid has to fulfill the mission of defending its title in the Spanish Super Cup without success. In the semifinals, Los Blancos lost 2-1 to Athletic Club de Bilbao on Thursday night at La Rosaleda Stadium in Malaga. The Basques will play the final against FC Barcelona on Sunday, who beat Real Sociedad 3-2 on penalties on Wednesday (1-1 at 120 minutes).

Starting XI unchanged: more freedom for Hazard

Coach Zinédine Zidane once again abstained from rotations and instead sent the exact team to the race that had played 0-0 at CA Osasuna last Saturday. Lucas Vázquez, Raphaël Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo defended against Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modrić, Casemiro and Toni Kroos formed the midfield. Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio acted in the attack. Interesting: Hazard acted mainly in the center in the first half, he moved from there to the right side, he had a greater radius of action than usual.

As usual, Los Blancos won more game early in the action, but were caught off guard after just under 20 minutes. After Hazard from the second row (10th) and closely (12th) and Ramos after a free kick from Kroos (17th) had half chances, Athletic suddenly went ahead (18th).

Photo: imago images / Cordon Press / Miguelez Sports“> Enlarge

García took advantage of a gap in the four behind Real to make it 0-1 – Photo: imago images / Cordon Press / Miguelez Sports

Two errors by Vázquez, two goals conceded

Raúl García carried the round leather into the penalty area from the left position without being disturbed at the net. Vazquez had taken too long with a pass, then passed the ball to the opponent’s feet. A quick pass from the center of the field to the barrel – the central defense of the whites revealed a gap – and García appeared free in front of Courtois.

As a result of the 0: 1, Real did everything possible to equalize as quickly as possible. Despite the efforts, the current winner of the Super Cup only had two opportunities in the person of Asensio. First the Mallorcan hit a left-footed shot near the long post (26º), shooting it from the right in the middle, then he missed the Basques’ accommodation from close range (31º) with his toe.

The 1: 1 did not fall, to top it off, the 0: 2 – because Vázquez once again did the team a disservice. The Spaniard, who was in fact so reliable in recent weeks, was unable to clear a cross with his head, so he held onto the jersey of ball carrier Íñigo Martínez Penalty! The correctly called penalty García sank safely (38.).

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No possibility! Courtois took the wrong corner for the Basque penalty – Photo: imago images / EFE Agency

Very early with my back against the wall

At least now, after Garcia had put on the brace, the situation turned dire for Los Blancos. Even before the end of the first round, their backs hit the wall. Real appeared less and less imaginative in the game and acted too agitated and without concentration, especially after the two setbacks. Bilbao, on the other hand, had deserved the lead with a vertiginous attack football.

Zidane made a change on the restart, but only on defense. Varane was beaten and Nacho Fernández replaced him. Only after 67 minutes, when the score was still 0: 2, did new forces arrive to bring the mission up to speed. Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior replaced Modrić and Hazard (67th).

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Hazard was practically pale again. Photo: imago images / ZUMA Wire

Asensio hits aluminum twice – Benzema shortened

Asensio, who had returned to the right for Hazard, was allowed to continue because he was clearly the most dangerous person after the break. After this Iker Muniain was about to head the Basque 3-0 at the start of the second half (54th), the Mallorcan got one good chance after another: first a shot at goal (58th), then against the left Post (62) , then against the crossbar (69)!

Disability in the back, uninspired for a long time and then a lot of bad luck. But it got exciting again! Benzema cut for Real after a Casemiro squad to 1: 2 (73). The video assistant first checked the shot for an offside position, then delivered it.

Photo: REAL TOTAL / imago images / ZUMA Wire“> Enlarge

Game details – Photo: REAL TOTAL / imago images / ZUMA Wire

Next buffer for Whites

The meringues had a quarter of an hour left. They had the ball, they pressed, they ran. But nothing more than this single sense of accomplishment jumped out. Removed! After the goalless draw in the League against Osasuna the next setback. Is the air out of here now? The Super Cup final will be played by FC Barcelona and Athletic on Sunday, while Real Wednesday will continue next Wednesday with the Cup match against CD Alcoyano (9:00 p.m. TOTAL REAL-Liveticker).

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