Real Madrid 1-2 Athletic Bilbao: 5 Talking Points as Los Blancos lose Spanish Super Cup semifinal

#3 Athletic Bilbao end long wait for victory over Real Madrid

Marcelino masterminded a victory over Real Madrid

Athletic Bilbao came into this clash having not won any of their last 22 games against Real Madrid in all competitions.

It was not for want of trying though, as the Basque side almost always matched the Bernabeu outfit in most of their clashes.

This win, in addition to being Marcelino's first at the club, is also the first time Athletic Bilbao have registered a victory over Real Madrid in over five years.

📸 #Supercopa 2015𝘼𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙯 𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙚𝙣𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙠 𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪 𝙙𝙖𝙪 𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖 🔴⚪🏆 @carlos80gurpegu & @AritzAduriz11 #RealMadridAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/TX8uuaOSHd

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) January 14, 2021

Before this, their last win against the LaLiga champions came when club legend Aritz Aduriz scored the sole goal in a 1-0 victory in March 2015.

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#2 Poor run continues for Real Madrid

Real Madrid have won just one of their last four games in all competitions

Real Madrid had a December to remember, as a run of five consecutive league wins helped them surge up the table to enter the title discussions.

However, they ended the year on a poor note, drawing 1-1 away to Elche and that has set the tone in recent weeks.

Real Madrid came into this fixture against a Bilbao side on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions. But Madrid were toothless in their goalless draw with Osasuna last weekend.

It was more of the same against Marcelino's side and although they stepped up the pressure in the dying stages, it was a case of too little too late for Zinedine Zidane's men.

🎙️ This is what Zidane had to say after our Super Cup semi-final match.#RMSuperCopa | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Adrh2Aoab0

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 14, 2021

Real Madrid have failed in their hopes of retaining the Spanish Super Cup and must now turn their attention to getting back on track in other competitions.

Their quest will start start with the trip to Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey next Wednesday.

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#1 Eden Hazard fails to make a mark yet again

Eden Hazard did not make a mark on the game

Having recently returned to full fitness, Eden Hazard was handed a start against Osasuna last weekend but had one of the poorest games of his career.

Granted, there were logistics problems in getting to Pamplona, while the field itself was not in the best condition but Hazard had another opportunity to make a mark against Athletic Bilbao.

The former Chelsea man, however, failed to take it. Despite getting into good positions and creating some chances, it was another sub-standard performance from the 30-year-old.

He was ultimately substituted for Vinicus Junior in the 67th minute.

Hazard came to Real Madrid to take his game to the next level, but so far, he has not hit the heights expected of him.

Injuries have played a part no doubt but for a player of his caliber, bigger things are expected from the Belgium international.