At San Mames, Athletic Club’s goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala became the hero of the night, earning praise from fans and teammates alike after his crucial performance.
The crowd’s appreciation was evident, as they celebrated not only the team’s victory over Real Madrid but also Agirrezabala’s remarkable penalty save.
The goalkeeper shared his joy after the match, acknowledging the strong bond with the supporters and his gratitude for their backing after the save.
“A lot of joy. For us, the fans are everything, super grateful for the support they give the team and me individually,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Saving Mbappe’s penalty
A key moment in the match was Agirrezabala’s penalty save against Kylian Mbappe. He had done his homework before the game, studying Mbappe’s penalty-taking habits.
“Nowadays we study everything a lot, I knew he was a good taker,” he noted.
He recalled how the French forward had missed a penalty in his previous match against Liverpool, and Agirrezabala anticipated that Mbappe might repeat the same side.
“He missed the previous one (in Liverpool) and I thought he was going to repeat the side. Luckily that is what happened.”
Julen Agirrezabala saved Mbappe’s penalty. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
This sharp observation paid off, as the goalkeeper was able to stop the shot with ease.
Agirrezabala humbly reflected on his contribution, acknowledging that although he had committed the foul that led to the penalty, the key save helped ensure his team’s win.
Beating Real Madrid
The match was unforgettable for Agirrezabala, who described the feeling of beating Real Madrid at home as incredible.
Agirrezabala’s performance, including the penalty save, was a key factor in securing all three points for his team.
“Being able to beat Real Madrid at home is a very nice thing. On top of that, in recent years it has been difficult for us to get a visit from Madrid, I am very happy with the three points and the team’s work,” he said.
For Mbappe, the miss was a rare occurrence, marking the second time in his career that he has missed two consecutive penalties. The first came at Anfield against Liverpool in the Champions League, and now the second at San Mames.