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Keylor Navas came five minutes short of beating Real Madrid’s record of minutes without conceeding a goal in the start of La Liga.

The Costa Rica international was beaten for the first time this season by Sabin Merino in the 67th minute of the clash against Athletic Bilbao and ended a run of five consecutives clean sheets.

However, Navas claimed that he’s not upset about that goal. In an interview with his official website keylornavas.com, said he was happy for the victory: “Winning makes me happy, the record was something nice, but it was not a priority. It’s history, it’s an important statistic, but my priority is always winning. I had the chance of breaking Miguel Angel’s record and it didn’t happen, but there’s no reason to regreat. There will be more chances to come.”

“I thank God for that victory and for being able to help the team when I was demanded. I would regreat it if the goal had caused a defeat, but we scored two goals that make us happy,” the goalkeeper added.

The 28-year-old admitted that 517 minutes without conceeding a goal in all competitions is “an interesting mark that we have achieved with the team’s support.”

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Mateo Kovacic has thanked Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez for the trust placed in him after the Croatian played his part in Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Karim Benzema scored a brace to help the team secure three points that took them to the summit of La Liga as Barcelona slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Celta Vigo. Real had to battle for their victory, particularly in the second half at San Mames as they came under plenty of pressure.

Speaking after the full time whistle, summer signing Kovacic admitted it was a tough game and thanked Benitez for playing him in such an important fixture.

He stated: “It was a very tough match but in the end we got what we came here for, a win and three points. We played very well in the first half, not so well in the second, and Athletic made things extremely difficult for us through the pressure their defenders put on us. I’d like to thank Rafa Benítez for the trust he placed in me; I really enjoyed playing tonight’s match. I’m very happy.”

The midfielder went on to hail Benzema for his goals and contribution to the team.

“Benzema is incredible, he helps the team out a lot with his goals, just as Cristiano Ronaldo does, and I’m delighted that he’s enjoying this hot streak in front of goal,” he commented.

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric says the team will take much confidence from their win over Athletic Bilbao as they head into some tricky fixtures in the coming weeks.

Los Blancos defeated the Basque outfit 2-1 at San Mames thanks to a Karim Benzema brace although they were made to work hard for the three points at the home side threw everything at the 10-time Champions League winners in search of a late equaliser.

Rafa Benitez’ men face Malaga in their next game before resuming Champions League duties ahead of a crunch game versus city rivals Atletico de Madrid.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Modric stated: “They are three very important points. We’re very happy, we need to continue on this path. We showed a lot of quality and character throughout the match, especially during the second half and when we were faced with difficult moments.

“Athletic were great opponents but we had a lot of chances on goal, in particular during the first half. We know how hard it is to win here, we lost this fixture last year and we’re delighted with how we played tonight. This win will fill us with confidence for the upcoming matches. Next up we face Málaga, following that we’re in the Champions League again, and then we take on Atlético.”

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal says the players are pleased to top La Liga at the moment but know there is plenty of hard work still to come.

Los Blancos overtook Barcelona in the table after the Catalans were thrashed by Celta Vigo while Real beat Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Karim Benzema scored a goal in each half to secure the three points while the team also showed plenty of character and fight to prevent the hosts netting an equaliser.

Talking to journalists after the match, right back Carvajal said the players were proud of where they are.

“It’s always good to be top of the table, but we have to carry on and keep on winning games to be champions come May. We knew about Barcelona’s half-time score and that it was a golden opportunity to take top spot. It’s an added source of motivation to get out there and play,” the 23-year-old commented.

He went on to discuss his own form and how important this season is for him with one eye on getting into the Spain squad for next summer’s European Championships.

“I try to repay the coach’s confidence in me by playing well. I hope that Danilo recovers soon and that when he’s back we make it hard for Benítez, and that it’s the team that benefits the most. For me, this year is the most important and the year with the most challenges in my career, with stiff competition at club and international level, and with the Euros in the summer. It’s a year to stand up and be counted,” he stated.

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Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has hailed his team mate’s performance after Los Blancos defeated Athletic Bilbao to go top of La Liga.

Two goals from Karim Benzema ensured Real took maximum points back to the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening, but it was a hard fought win with the team coming under plenty of pressure, especially in the second half.

Roared on by a vociferous home support, Bilbao piled on the pressure and Los Blancos had Keylor Navas to thank for pulling off some more incredible saves.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Varane said the players deserved the win but it was a hard match.

“It was a tough match and we had to run hard, but we’re happy because the team worked really well. We had to dig in, but we stuck together as a team. Playing here is always tough, because Athletic play with a lot of intensity, but we responded and held firm, and came away with a really positive result

“We’re working really hard, we’re focused and well organised. The main thing is to keep this up. La Liga isn’t easy and there are a lot of good teams, and the consistency that we’re showing is important,” he commented.

He also went on to hail compatriot Benzema for his brace, saying: “He’s in very good form and he always scores goals. He’s made a really good start to the season and I hope that he keeps it up.”

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Real Madrid boss has hailed the character shown by his players during the 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Karim Benzema scored twice for Los Blancos at San Mames but the team had goalkeeper Keylor Navas to thank for ensuring they left the Basque country with all three points having made some brilliant saves during the game.

The 10-time Champions League winners were the better team in the first half, enjoying most of the possession and took the lead through Benzema’s strike. Bilabo equalised midway through the second period but Benzema scored again three minutes later to put his side back in front. Los Blancos then had to defend heroically as the hosts put up a battle to get their second goal.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Benitez stated: “The team has shown two faces. Possession in the first half and the character to suffer in the second. The team will take confidence in itself from having won at San Mames. We had 20 shots at goal. We are leaving here reinforced. This was a different game. We did things we had not done before. Until now we had not had to show character.”

He also went on to praise Benzema for his brace. Benitez commented: “[Benzema] is a great player. He is a different type of No. 9, not a penalty-box poacher. He has quality and makes a good partner for Cristiano. When they are together they are very dangerous. His movement creates lots of problems for the opposition defenders. I have told Karim I want him to score between 20 and 25 goals, and add assists to that, but he is on the right path.”

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has denied claims of tax fraud during his time as a Los Blancos player.

A reports in Spain’s El Mundo newspaper claimed the cultured midfielder, now playing his football with Bayern Munich, failed to declare his income from his images rights to the Spanish tax office between 2010 and 2012.

Now, the 33-year-old, who played a key role in the Los Blancos team that won the Copa del Rey and Champions League in 2014, has responded to the claims in the paper, saying he has always complied with his tax requirements.

A statement published via his Twitter account read: “Following the information published today by newspaper El Mundo about Xabi Alonso and the Tax Office, the player states the following:

“1. To clarify absolutely that he has always complied with each and every one of his tax obligations.

“2. The player will always act in the defence of his interests and, as is logical, respecting the decision of the court.

“3. Of course, the player will use the measures he considers necessary to prove that all tax obligations have been fulfilled in an entirely transparent manner and always in adherence with the law.”

Alonso joined the 10-time Champions League winners from Liverpool in 2009 and left five years later to sign for Pep Guardiola’s team.

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Real Madrid earned a crucial victory at San Mames and moved top of the table in La Liga thanks to a brace from Karim Benzema and another superb performance from Keylor Navas.

Rafa Benitez’ men took advantage of Barcelona’s defeat at Celta de Vigo to take the lead in the championship. Their defensive effort was key to upset Athletic de Bilbao in their stadium.

The start of the game was open and entertaining, with both teams committing numbers each time they broke into the final third.

Aduriz had the first opportunity to score, but Raphael Varane came across to make a perfect challenge and clear the ball.

Before the 20-minute mark, Benzema took advantage of a horrible piece of defending from Mikel San Jose to make it 0-1. The defender played a poor back pass to his goalkeeper and the Frenchman was quickly on the scene and finished past Iraizoz.

It could have been 0-2 three minutes later as Ronaldo met a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his shot was denied by the keeper.

Los Blancos started frustrating Athletic with their superb defending and had two big chances to score before the break. Ronaldo lead a counter-attack that reached Kroos, whose effort went wide of the post.

Minutes later, Carvajal delivered a super cross towards Ronaldo. The Portuguese international set up Mateo Kovacic, but the midfield’s shot was palmed over the bar.

Keylor Navas saved his team early in the second half as Sabin drove down the left before assisting Aduriz, who slashed one to the bottom corner and was denied by the keeper.

Yet, Athletic levelled in the 68th minute as Susaeta drove down the right and sent a precise cross that was headed by Sabin into the bottom corner.

Luckily for Los Blancos, it only took Benzema three minutes to put Madrid back in control. Modric played a superb reverse pass into Isco. The Spaniard found Benzema, who netted easily from close range.

Aduriz had a big chance to level again as he met a loose ball inside the box and fired a low effort, but Navas brilliantly stopped the shot.

And just before the end, Aduriz sent a precise header to the top corner, but Navas again secured the win for Los Blancos tipping the ball over the bar.

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Athletic Bilbao Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid travel to northern Spain this evening to take on Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Los Blancos are looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season having won three and drawn one in La Liga and have yet to concede a goal.

Athletic, on the other hand, have lost three of their opening four matches with just one win coming against Getafe. They also have the fourth worst defensive record in La Liga having conceded seven goals so far.

But San Mames is always a tough ground to go to, and Los Blancos lost their last season so will be keen to put things right this time round. For added motivation, Keylor Navas could set a new record for the number of consecutive clean sheets from the start of the season, while Cristiano Ronaldo is fast closing in on becoming Real’s all-time leading scorer.

In terms of team news, Sergio Ramos has failed to recover from his shoulder injury, while Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Danilo all remain sidelined. Daniel Carvajal, Pepe and Lucas Vasquez should all keep their place in the side.

Real will need to keep a close eye on Aduriz. Despite the club’s poor start to the campaign in the league, the striker has netted nine goals in 10 games in all competitions so far, including in the superb Spanish Supercopa win over Barcelona.

Possible line-ups
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Iraola, Laporte, Exteita, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico; Gomez, Marcos, Susaeta; Aduriz
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Vazquez, Ronaldo, Benzema

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Real Madrid defender Pepe says he is relishing the game against Athletic Bilbao as clashes with the Basque team are always a fantastic occasion.

The Portuguese looks set to start the game with captain Sergio Ramos ruled out through injury and the defender said he always loves visiting San Mames.

In an interview with Bwin, the 32-year-old warned his team mates a trip to Bilbao is always tough and they will need to work hard to win the three points.

He stated: “We have to be ready and we hope, with all humility, that we’ll win. We are going to be up against a team that shows a lot of character, a lot of hunger and we’re expecting a very tough match. We’ll have to work hard and give it our all if we’re to come away from there with a good result.”

And he continued: “We’re hoping to score and to be full focused so as to help the team, but we’ll have to work extremely hard in order for that to happen. I’m hoping our forward players perform well so they can get on the score sheet just like they did against Espanyol.”

The centre-back added that he is particularly looking forward to coming up against Athletic striker Aduriz, who is enjoying a purple patch with his club at the moment.

“He is a top quality player and a powerhouse. He works hard for his team and we have to be ready to play well and face off against an extremely motivated striker, who is enjoying a great run of form.”

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