Barça won 5-1 in Mallorca and Real Madrid lost tonight in San Mamés (2-1), ending the hot streak (8 points recovered in three games).
The difference between the two giants is now 4 points, with the postponed Valencia-Real Madrid match still pending.
The Game of Nonsense
Real Madrid lost at San Mamés in a match of nonsense. There were mistakes by Rüdiger and Asencio in Berenger's 1-0. There were Mbappé's mistake in the penalty shot and Valverde's mistake in Guruceta's 2-1. All the goals came in the second half.
The worst thing for Real Madrid is not the result, but the attitude of the team. They went out to play without hunger in a hellish atmosphere that carried the Basque players on their shoulders.
Real Madrid didn't come out to play with the focus that the moment required. San Mamés was pressing hard and Carlo Ancelotti's men came out scared.
Athletic took control of the match. Real Madrid struggled to get past the midfield line while clearing the ball in reply to the Basque attacks.
Mbappé Played his Own Game: Apathetic and Listless
Mbappé, as usual, was apathetic and listless. He barely intervened until, in a flash, he was the subject of a penalty that the referee refused to call. Shortly after, a goal was disallowed for a questionable offside.
Real Madrid also claimed a penalty by Gorosabel on Rodrygo, but the VAR denied that possibility.
As the game progressed, the game became more balanced. However, Real Madrid had problems getting the ball out. You can't ask too much of Tchouaméni since it's not his specialty.
Ancelotti opted to take off a striker (Brahim, Arda Güler or Endrick) to place the Frenchman, changing the traditional 4-3-3 for a 4-4-2.
It didn't work for them in the first half. Although rather than the formation, what really failed for Los Blancos was once again the intensity.
Mbappé is Not the Only One to Blame
In the second half, Real Madrid made many mistakes. The two goals scored by Athletic and the penalty missed by Mbappé were especially serious ones.
The Frenchman wanted to make up for the criticism for not taking it against Getafe. And he got it wrong, shooting at the same place as in Liverpool.
Mbappé's situation is starting to be worrying. Still, he was not the only one to blame for the defeat. Lucas Vázquez was unable to stop Nico Williams, Asencio looked nervous, Fran García was nowhere to be seen.
The overcrowded midfield didn't take advantage of its superiority in number. Those up front, meanwhile, were pitiful.
In the End, It was Total Chaos
In the end, there was a total chaos, with Arda Güler and Endrick on the field to bail Ancelotti out of trouble.Rüdiger playing center- forward, however. It was all very Kafkaesque.
Ancelotti is clear about this and draws a conclusion from this untimely defeat that once again distances him from Barça. Real Madrid needs reinforcements at the back. Asencio is giving his all but the team needs consistency immediately.
The right-back position needs to be covered by a specialist in the area. Ancelotti will ask Florentino to bring Alexander-Arnold. He wants him now, even if he has to pay money and doesn't arrive for free, as if they were waiting until June.
A full-back and a center-back with immediate performance would solve a good part of Real Madrid's problems. Despite that, there's also Mbappé's issue. That's more difficult to solve, because he isn't getting it together.
Technical data sheet
Athletic, 2 - Real Madrid, 1
Athletic: Agirrezabala; Gorosabel, Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Prados (Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer (Guruzeta 63'); Sancet, Nico Williams; Iñaki Williams
Real Madrid : Courtois, Lucas (Güler 87''), Asencio, Rudiger, Fran García (Mendy 70'), Tchouaméni (Modric 70'), Ceballos (Brahim 57'), Valverde, Bellingham, Rodrygo (Endrick 87') and Mbappé
Goals : 1-0 Berenguer (53'), 1-1 Belligham (78'), 2-1 Guruzeta (80')
Referee : Sánchez Martínez. He cautioned Agirrezabala, Tchouaméni, Lucas
Stadium : San Mamés.