Vinicius 9.5, Valverde 9.0 | Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao: Player ratings | OneFootball

Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday in their matchday 32 meeting in La Liga, courtesy of a fantastic strike by Federico Valverde in second half stoppage time. The Uruguayan’s ninth goal of the season in all competitions gave Carlo Ancelotti’s men their first win at home in three weeks, this being a very crucial result as far as the title race is concerned.

It was a dominant display by the Whites who kept a commendable 73% possession, while allowing their opponents not big chance. Were it not for a slightly tired team and an underproductive tactical system, Ernesto Valverde’s side could have been given a far harder time. Before Real Madrid turn their attention to the clash versus Getafe on Wednesday, here are their player ratings from the Bilbao game.

Player Ratings

Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10

Courtois was a spectator throughout the game as Athletic Bilbao had no clear-cut opportunities to trouble the Belgian international in either half.

Federico Valverde – 9/10

A terrific game by Valverde at right back. He scored a superb goal after moving to midfield in the second half, where his energy and work on the ball to drive the team forward was crucial in the game’s latter phase.

Raul Asencio – 8/10

Asencio was world-class in defence once more. He was not called into action too many times without the ball but was Madrid’s conductor of play from the back with a 100% passing accuracy.

Antonio Rudiger – 7.5/10

Rudiger also hardly put a foot wrong. With Asencio ensuring that the distribution from the back was not compromised, his teammate kept Gorka Guruzeta away from any threatening positions in the box.

Eduardo Camavinga – 8/10

Camavinga was superb at left back as he linked well with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior. He even made a scintillating run into the final third in the second half but was thwarted in an attempt to score by Unai Simon.

Aurelien Tchouameni – 8.5/10

With Athletic Club playing long balls, Tchouameni was vital to the team. The Frenchman won 12 duels, the highest in the game, made four interceptions and seven recoveries.

Luka Modric – 7.5/10

Modric completed 93% of his passes and was important to Real Madrid’s approach of dominating possession, for which they needed one of the world’s greatest distributors of the ball.

Dani Ceballos – 7.5/10

Not the Spaniard’s best performance after a lengthy injury layoff. He did, however, create one scoring chance and provide the team with a direct, vertical brand of football which they had missed without Ceballos.

Jude Bellingham – 8/10

Bellingham did well as the Real Madrid number 10, a role he played often last season. He switched play well on both flanks and also made enticing late runs into the box, but was unlucky not to score.

Rodrygo Goes – 6/10

Probably the most underwhelming player on the pitch as his goal drought continued, Rodrygo failed to much with the ball at his feet barring a shot that narrowly missed the post in the second half.

Vinicius Junior – 9.5/10

One of Vinicius’ best displays this season as he looked a million dollars from the start. He was lively down the left flank, wreaking havoc to the Athletic backline throughout the game.

Substitutes

Endrick – 6.5/10

Endrick did well after coming off the bench. The teenager was offside during the team’s ruled-out goal but his energy as well as movement in the final third helped take away some defenders from Vinicius.

Arda Guler – 6/10

Guler had a 100% passing accuracy but did not do much good work off the bench when the scoreline was 0-0 with only 10 minutes to play.

Brahim Diaz – 7.5/10

Brahim brought life to the right flank and thrusted Real Madrid forward with the ball. It was his footwork inside the Athletic Club box which led to the ball falling to Valverde a second or two before his goal.

Lucas Vazquez – N/A

Vazquez was on the pitch for a very less duration as he was introduced just for a better defensive structure late in the game.