Numbers Narrative: Athletic Club 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid seized early control at San Mamés, building a 0.88 to 0.70 xT advantage by the 15-minute mark while flooding Athletic’s final third with 32 touches against just 11 for the hosts. Athletic briefly responded around the half-hour, edging ahead 2.05 to 1.98 in cumulative xT as they found some rhythm in possession, but Madrid’s territorial stranglehold told the broader story.

By halftime, the visitors had reasserted dominance with a 3.59 to 2.87 xT lead and 100 final third touches compared to Athletic’s 76. The State Review data reveals the chasm in control: Madrid constructed nine sequences in the opening period (seven moderate, one patient, one short) while Athletic managed just four (two moderate, one patient, one short). The hosts struggled to sustain any meaningful pressure against Madrid’s structured possession.

Antonio Rüdiger had a match-high 95.6% pass completion rate alongside 1.071 in xT gain and 10 progressive passes. His precision from deep positions repeatedly unlocked Athletic’s midfield press. Aurélien Tchouaméni commanded proceedings with 106 touches, more than any player on the pitch, while completing 91.7% of his passes and delivering 10 progressive balls forward. His five ball recoveries illustrated the two-way role he played in Madrid’s control phases.

Jude Bellingham’s 11 progressive passes led Madrid’s midfield progression, complemented by seven ball recoveries and a 92.9% pass completion rate across 74 touches. His six progressive carries helped transition Madrid from possession into attack.

Kylian Mbappé influenced multiple phases, recording 0.704 in xT gain, eight progressive passes, seven progressive carries, and a match-leading four successful take-ons. He registered 28 touches in the final third and completed two key passes, constantly threatening Athletic’s backline with his directness.

Adama Boiro provided Athletic Club’s most progressive outlet from left-back, leading all players with 1.600 in xT gain and 15 progressive passes while maintaining an 88.9% pass completion rate. His five ball recoveries underscored the defensive burden he carried as Madrid repeatedly attacked down his flank. Aymeric Laporte partnered him in Athletic’s buildup, contributing 13 progressive passes with an 89.1% completion rate and 0.747 in xT gain, though neither could translate territorial gains into genuine scoring threats.

Alejandro Rego battled in Athletic Club’s midfield with a match-high nine progressive carries and eight ball recoveries across 67 touches, though white shirts often surrounded him. Eduardo Camavinga’s all-around display for Madrid included 10 progressive passes, seven ball recoveries, 88.0% pass completion, and a remarkable 83.3% accuracy on long balls, the best figure among players attempting such passes with volume.

Athletic Club actually edged Madrid in touches in the opponent’s half (320 to 310) and nearly matched them in passes completed there, 244 to 246. But Madrid’s 87.6% overall pass completion dwarfed Athletic’s 76.1%, exposing the technical gulf between the sides. Athletic attempted to compensate through directness, registering 24 carries into the final third against Madrid’s 10, a preference for dribbling through lines rather than passing through them.

Yet Madrid’s pass reception distribution (225 in Athletic’s half versus 364 in their own) demonstrated superior territorial control, while Athletic’s figures (189 to 133) revealed a side pushed deeper despite their raw touch counts suggesting otherwise.

Athletic mounted their most sustained threat after the interval. By the hour mark, they had pulled level in cumulative xT at 3.59 apiece while edging ahead in final third touches, 111 to 106. The momentum continued shifting in the hosts’ favor: at 75 minutes, Athletic led 4.34 to 4.21 in xT and 122 to 121 in final third touches, their most balanced spell of the match. By full-time, they had stretched their xT advantage to 4.93 against Madrid’s 4.56 and dominated final third entries 167 to 137. Yet the scoreboard read 0-3.

The State Review captures the final 15 minutes: Athletic Club managed two moderate sequences without completing a single short or patient buildup, while Madrid produced just two sequences total (one moderate, one short). Both sides had exhausted their creative reserves, but Madrid had already done the clinical damage when it mattered most.