Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Madrid: Five Talking Points

#2 Bilbao execute their plan to perfection

Modric wasn't given a moment of breathing space by Bilbao

Eduardo Berizzo had devised a plan before the match and his team executed it perfectly. It was to press the visitors high up so that the likes of Modric and Kroos won't be able to exert much influence from the midfield. Also, close the passing lanes such that Madrid's forward line were reduced to feed off the scrapes of long passes.

This worked to tremendous effect in the first-half when Los Leones ran the rings around their mighty rivals. Real Madrid were, for most of the time, in their own-half and at the receiving end of a barrage of attacks. Modric was snuffed out of space while Kroos had to drop deeper than usual. This rendered the midfield largely ineffective, though a tactical switch at half-time - subbing off the otherwise bright Cabellos for Casemiro - brought stability to Madrid's game.

But Bilbao's tactical schemes unsettled Lopetegui's side and deservedly took the lead through Muniain.