On Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 the highly – talented French striker, Karim Benzema, nailed 2 – fast goals in order to lead his football club, Real Madrid, to a victory over Athletic Bilbao during the Spanish LaLiga League match that was played without several football players due to infections of the COVID – 19 virus.
The defending champion Atlético Madrid fell to a 4th – straight Spanish LaLiga League loss following Atletico Madrid’s losing effort against Granada who won with a final score of 2 to 1 at Granada. This prolonged Atletico Madrid’s worst set of consecutive matches in the Spanish LaLiga League competition ever since their head coach, Diego Simeone, took charge of their football club approximately a decade ago.
There was a total of 12 – football players between both Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao who were forced to sit this game out due to positive COVID – 19 tests. Some of the players affected include Real Madrid’s midfielder Luka Modric as well as Athletic Bilbao’s goal – tender Unai Simón who just so happens to be the goalie for Spain’s national football club.
Benzema began his Wednesday scoring spree for the Spanish LaLiga League’s 1st – place club with an outstanding shot just 4 – minutes into the game at San Mamés Stadium. Then Karim found the net for another goal score once again in the 7th – minute of play in this match marking Benzema’s 15th – goal of the 2021 – 2022 season, and he leads the Spanish LaLiga League in goals which should be no surprise for anyone who follows European football as the guys is an absolute machine.
Oihan Sancet punched right back for the Athletic Bilbao football team which closed out the wild and crazy 1st – 10 – minutes of this high – scoring contest from Spain. This put the game at 2 to 1 in favor of Real Madrid who eventually won by that final tally later on last Wednesday.
Iñaki Williams got oh so close to striking an equalizing goal score with around a half – hour left to play, but unfortunately for him and his squad a defense led by Éder Militão was able to hold on and come out victorious. Real Madrid presently holds an 8 – point advantage over the 2nd – place club in the Spanish LaLiga League, Sevilla, so far this season.
The coronavirus outbreak on Real Madrid’s football club provided Eden Hazard, Eduardo Camavinga, and Nacho Fernández the rare opportunity to start a game for their side.
The match came only hours following the Spanish LaLiga League improved their testing protocols for COVID – 19 in order to prevent clubs from being decimated by vicious outbreaks of the deadly coronavirus.
In addition to Modric, Real Madrid had to go to battle without the services and skills of David Alaba, Isco Alarcón, Marco Asensio, Rodrygo, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Besides Simón, Iñigo Martínez of the Athletic Bilbao was playing without Jokin Ezkieta as well as Alex Berenguer.
Media Statements
“I want to highlight the players who hadn’t played much were ready to go, that is the strength of a team that wants to compete,” the head coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, detailed. “Now to rest and get back those players who weren’t with us today … I think that we can have them all back after the holidays. What a striker, what a captain, what a player.”
“I like this type of soccer in a great stadium like this, it makes me happy, but it makes me even happier to beat this good team,” Karim Benzema expressed.
“We had our chance to tie the match,” the head coach of Athletic Bilbao Marcelino García explained. “I am proud of how we played against a great league leader.”
“We are not getting the wins like we used to,” says the head coach of Atletico Madrid Diego Simeone.“Many times, we won games we did not deserve to win, now we are losing games we deserved to win … Lapses in concentration in the little details is costing us games.”
Sources:
Wilson, Joseph. “Benzema brace as Madrid beats Bilbao 2 – 1 in virus – hit game”. The Associated Press. December 22, 2021.
“Spanish LaLiga Table 2021 – 22”. ESPN. December 24, 2021.