Atlético Madrid newcomer Memphis Depay. Last Friday, the goal getter of the Dutch national team was presented as the new attacker of the capitals. Before making the switch from Barcelona, the striker obtained information from a former teammate.
In his early days at Barça, Memphis still played with Antoine Griezmann. The Altético star built up a good relationship with the Dutchman. Reason for the Orange-international to contact when coach Diego Simeone had expressed his interest. “I spoke with Griezmann. He only had positive words about the club, the teammates and the city,” he revealed.
“He wanted me to come,” Memphis told Atlético’s official channels. The attackers think they are reinforcing each other. “It’s nice to feel that they want me here. And I’m delighted to be reunited with Griezmann.”
“I’m happy to stay in the Spanish league, I’ve already adapted to that,” Memphis said of the choice to stay in La Liga. He knows what to bring to Atlético. “I am a player who is always looking for goals, assists and creating danger. I’m here to win, be creative and bring the fighting spirit with me. Something with which I can identify well with this club.’
“We have a coach with a lot of experience. Hopefully I can help him,” Memphis said of Simeone. He also praised the atmosphere in Madrid. ‘The first time I came here was impressive. The fans were intense. That played an important role in my decision. I want to be part of that.’
Colleague and friend Frenkie de Jong said goodbye to his compatriot via Instagram. The Barça midfielder spent a lot of time with Memphis in Catalonia and thanked him for that.
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid
In other LaLiga news, Benzema opened the scoring in the 24th minute. A cross from Valverde came through Ceballos’ head and the Frenchman scored very well: 0-1.
For Benzema, it was his 228th goal in La Liga, passing Real Madrid icon Alfredo di Stéfano and matching another legend, Raúl Gonzalez. Athletic then went in pursuit. Coach Ernesto Valverde’s team was regularly threatening and thought to make it 1-1 fifteen minutes before the end via Iñaki Williams, but his goal was rejected due to offside.
Athletic delivered the most attempts on goal, but Real also remained dangerous. Marco Asensio, for example, was close to a second Madrid goal, but he shot wide after an excellent attack via Valverde and Benzema. In extra time, substitute Kroos made the decision by shooting very cleanly on a pass from Rodrygo.
With the victory in Bilbao, Real Madrid narrows the gap with leader Barcelona to three points again. Athletic is now four league matches without a win and is, somewhat disappointingly, eighth.
