Real Madrid crashes to defeat in Bilbao Sunday, January 17, 2010
Multi-million Euro Real Madrid crashed to a 1-0 defeat in Athletic Club Bilbao's San Mames Stadium on Saturday night.
The most expensive team in the world lost to a side that spent just two million Euros this summer and only plays with footballers born or raised in the Basque district. Maybe for that reason Athletic enjoys a special relationship with its fans.
It is Real Madrid's third defeat of the season.
A second minute goal from Athletic striker Fernando Llorente was the difference between the two sides.
The big striker headed home a corner taken by Fran Yeste that flicked off Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra with the game hardly under way.
Cheered on by a packed crowd in San Mames and with an incredible atmosphere in the stands, Athletic went from the game from the first moment and had already hit the woodwork twice through Carlos Gurpegui and Gaizka Toquero before Llorente's goal.
Athletic were playing at a high rhythm, but Real Madrid slowly got back into the game with Karim Benzema involved in most of their best moves.
The French striker was only playing because of the muscle injury suffered by top scorer Gonzalo Higuain, but he almost leveled the scores just before half time.
Benzema cut in from the right and curled a left foot shot against the far post of the goal defended by Gorka Iraizoz.
The fans in San Mames were no doubt expecting a nerve shredding second half as Real Madrid looked for the equalizer with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Nevertheless Athletic had few problems keeping their rivals at bay in the first 15 minutes as central defenders Fernando Amorebieta and Miken san Jose produced almost flawless displays.
The visitors intensified their pressure as the game continued, but Kaka had left his shooting boots at home and Ronaldo began to show the worst aspects of his game, falling over too easily and complaining against every decision that didn't favor him.
Gorka meanwhile was stopping everything Madrid could throw at him and the game ended with Athletic denied a clear penalty for a foul on Llorente. Although referee Gonzalez Vazquez somehow found six minutes of injury time, Madrid was not able to take advantage of his generosity.
Athletic left the pitch to a standing ovation from its delighted fans, who never stopped cheering their heroes on to victory.
In football, sometimes there are things that money can't buy.
