Markel Susaeta starred as Athletic Bilbao ended Real Madrid’s 100 per cent start to the new LaLiga season by battling to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio San Mames. Susaeta worried the ponderous Real defence throughout and set up a 32nd-minute opener for Iker Muniain which threatened to cause embarrassment for Julen Lopetegui’s men. Substitute Isco made an immediate impression when he drew Real level midway through the second half but it was a performance which left more questions than answers over Real’s post-Ronaldo era. Isco pounced in the 63rd minute with a superb close-range finish from a pinpoint right-wing cross from Bale. Ramos had the last chance for Real when he lashed a long-range free-kick over the bar, inevitably drawing comparisons to the precision of the now-departed Ronaldo.

Source: Irish Examiner September 15, 2018 21:11 UTC