Real Madrid’s ‘Mr. Reliable’ finally cost Los Blancos dear in Athletic Club defeat | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s most reliable player on Tuesday night cost his side dear, en route to a damaging defeat at the hands of Athletic Club.

Carlo Ancelotti’s troops are of course fresh off marking their return to action.

After making the trip to San Mamés for a meeting with the aforementioned Athletic, Real were ultimately put to the sword by two goals to one.

This came owing to a chaotic couple of minutes late in proceedings on Wednesday night.

After Álex Berenguer put Ernesto Valverde’s hosts in front early in the 2nd-half, Jude Bellingham dragged Real Madrid back into things ten minutes from time, courtesy of his 4th goal in four games.

Just when it appeared that Los Blancos had secured a foothold in the game, however, disaster struck.

Whilst needlessly attempting to dribble the ball out from deep, Federico Valverde saw his pocket picked by Gorka Guruzeta, who drove on to slot a fine finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.

As much proved the evening’s decisive moment, albeit with Kylian Mbappé’s missed spot-kick also worth highlighting.

The sight of Fede Valverde, Real’s ‘Mr. Reliable’, making such a costly error, though, will live long in the memory, on a night to forget for all associated with the reigning Spanish champions.

Conor Laird – GSFN