There was no suspended Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham returned to the Real team after a two-match suspension, but Rodrygo was the boss of Real tonight. The somewhat underrated Brazilian was the star of the evening in the triumph over Athletic Bilbao (2:0), which cemented Royal Club in first place in Primera and kept them at a safe distance of seven points from Barcelona. The already long-injured Courtois and Alaba were joined by the suspended Vinicius Junior, but Real did not feel it. Tonight, Rodrygo took on the role of executor. The Brazilian had a great period in the fall when he scored seven goals in five matches in the space of a month and was one of Real’s strikers. But since then, he started to score less and less… In 13 matches in Primera and the Champions League this year, he scored only one goal. Doubts and criticism began, but Ancelotti trusted him. And it paid off for him tonight. Often in the shadow of a compatriot a year older, Rodrygo is able to score important goals and decide games without having the same resonance as when Vinicius does it. Lately, his status in the team has started to be analyzed when Mbappe and Endrik arrive, so tonight the Brazilian decided to show what he can do.Madrid, whose next match is Manchester City’s visit on April 9 in the Champions League quarter-finals, enjoyed a comfortable night. Ancelotti was able to give defender Eder Militao a few minutes off the bench after a long-term knee injury he sustained in August against Athletic on the opening day of the season. Rodrygo broke the deadlock after just seven minutes with a strike from just outside the area. After receiving a crossfield pass from Brahim Diaz, the forward drove towards the box and arced a shot beyond the reach of Julen Agirrezabala. Agirrezabala saved from Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde before Aurelien Tchouameni headed a good chance just wide before the break.Without Spain winger Nico Williams, Athletic looked short of ideas in the final third and they failed to create much in the second half either. Diaz crashed a shot against the post as Madrid sought a second goal to kill the game, but they needed goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to stay sharp to deny Inaki Williams at the near post with a volley from a corner. Rodrygo netted his and Madrid’s second after 73 minutes at the end of a slick move, ghosting inside Vivian and finishing at the near post. Antonio Rudiger thwarted Iker Muniain with a fine piece of last-ditch defending to ensure there could be no Athletic comeback. Militao’s appearance in the final stages marked the end of a good night’s work for Madrid.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 30FridayCadiz – Granada 1-0 (0-0)/Navarro 51/Saturday Getafe – Sevilla 0-1 (0-1)/Ramos 5/Almeria – Osasuna 0-3 (0-2)/Arnaiz 2, Budimir 9, Munoz 61/Valencia – Mallorca 0-0Barcelona – Las Palmas 1-0 (0-0)/Raphinha 60/Sunday Celta – Rayo Vallecano 0-0Girona – Betis 3-2 (1-1)/Dovbyk 36(p), 65, Stuani 90+2 – Jose 45+4, 76/Alaves – Sociedad 0-1 (0-0)/Pacheco 56/Real Madrid – Ath.Bilbao 2-0 (1-0)/Rodrygo 8, 73/Monday22.00: (3.20) Villareal (3.60) Atl.Madrid (2.30)***odds are subject to change***
