Sunday 17 January 2010

LA LIGA : Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 Real Madrid (VIDEO)


Llorente header sinks Real


Fernando Llorente's early header proved the difference between the sides as Athletic Bilbao pulled off a shock win over Real Madrid in the Primera Division.
Spain striker Llorente nodded home from a corner after just two minutes and the home team held on for a fine win, Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz denying the visitors with a string of great saves.
The Basques were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Carlos Gurpegi was sent off for a second bookable offence but there was no time for the capital club to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
Madrid are always made to work hard at San Mames, but won the corresponding fixture 5-2 last season.
Fran Yeste was dismissed in that match following a scuffle with Iker Casillas.
The Madrid goalkeeper exaggerated the contact then and was given a hard time by the Athletic fans even before this match had kicked off.
And Casillas, who made his debut at this ground at the tender age of 17, had to pick the ball out of his net after just two minutes.
Yeste played a part, whipping in an excellent corner which Llorente met with aplomb to head home and give Athletic the perfect start.
Llorente is always a danger in the air, but the striker was surprisingly left all on his own by Madrid's central defensive partnership of Ezequiel Garay and Raul Albiol.
Those two, in the absence of the injured Pepe, had led Madrid to back-to-back clean sheets in the last two matches, but they were negligent as Athletic took the lead and had looked uncomfortable from the outset as the Basques flew out of the blocks.
Joaquin Caparros' side could have taken the lead even earlier, twice rattling the woodwork in the opening minute, firstly through Gurpegi's piledriver and then as Gaizka Toquero struck the post from the rebound with the goal at his mercy.
Madrid, now behind, soon settled and Karim Benzema - in for the injured Gonzalo Higuain - tested Iraizoz after seven minutes following Xabi Alonso's miscued effort.
The France striker then tried his luck from distance, but Iraizoz was up to the task once again and made the stop.
Madrid came close to an equaliser midway through the half.
Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was parried by Iraizoz, but the ball span back towards goal and the Athletic keeper did well to scramble clear at the second attempt, despite tripping over the Portugal winger.
Kaka then set up Benzema, but the former Lyon man was this time denied by the post.
He probably should have scored, but the leveller was remaining elusive for a now dominant Madrid outfit.
Alonso was denied by Iraizoz after that and Garay headed wide as half-time approached.
Athletic went in ahead at the break still clinging onto their early lead.
It looked as if they would be unable to hold out for the entire second half, though, as Madrid continued to pressure.
But the visitors struggled to get going after the interval.
Ronaldo should have equalised on the hour, but the former Manchester United star - one on one with Iraizoz - shot straight at the Athletic keeper.
Kaka was also denied by the former Espanyol number one and sent another great opportunity fizzing over the bar later on.
It was proving a frustrating night for the visitors and particularly Kaka.
The Brazil forward had another good chance with eight minutes left, but failed to hit the target this time and Athletic's fans breathed a sigh of relief.
Gurpegi was sent off for a second bookable offence deep into stoppage time, but it was too late to matter and Athletic stood firm to secure a fine win.
The result saw Athletic climb to seventh place in the standings on 30 points - 11 less than second-placed Madrid.
Copyright ©2009 ESPN Internet Ventures.

0 nhận xét:

Post a Comment

 

Popular Posts

Popular Posts this month

Popular Posts this week