Real Madrid: Player ratings from the away win against Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid bagged three points and extended their lead to seven points at the top of the table with a 0-1 win away at San Mames against Athletic Club.

A trip to San Mames is always a tricky fixture for Real Madrid. However, a penalty from Sergio Ramos in consecutive matches gave Los Blancos a vital three points. The Merengues looked exhausted and leg heavy in the first half, but they endured throughout and created enough chances to deserved the win.

Zinedine Zidane brought Marco Asensio in to the starting eleven for the first time since his return from injury. Rodrygo also got the nod ahead of Isco and Fede Valverde returned to give Toni Kroos a rest.

Eder Militao started alongside Ramos in place of the injured Raphael Varane. Here is how the players performed.

Goalkeepers

Thibaut Courtois – 7.5/10

Thibaut Courtois is now the first Real Madrid goalkeeper to keep 17 clean sheets in a season since 1995. The Belgian comes up with match-winning saves over and over again.

In the first half, Courtois made two vital saves to deny Raul Garcia and Inaki Williams, respectively. The Merengues’ goalkeeper has benefited from the improved defensive performances from Zidane’s system, but Courtois’ command of his area is currently elite.

He has now conceded only 18 goals in 31 matches in his race to capture the Zamora trophy.