In a distressing incident during the 36th minute of the match, Nico Williams was subjected to racist abuse from the crowd. Despite the disgraceful behavior, Nico remained composed and focused on the game, stating that there is an ongoing battle against racism both within and outside of football.

Teammates and opponents alike came together in solidarity, with Griezmann and Giménez urging the crowd to stop the offensive chants. A plea was made over the public address system to halt the racist and offensive behavior, resulting in a brief pause before the game resumed.

In a remarkable display of karma, just minutes after the incident, Nico scored a goal to level the score. In his celebration, he pointed to his arm, emphasizing that it is unacceptable to be targeted because of one’s skin color.

Nico’s brother, Iñaki, also expressed his indignation, condemning the monkey chants and highlighting that it has no place in football or society. He emphasized that the focus should be on condemning the perpetrators rather than blaming the victim.

The captain of Athletic Bilbao, Iker Muniain, showed his support for Nico by discussing the incident with him. In a graceful act, Nico left the field without stepping on the Atlético shield.

While Athletic Bilbao couldn’t secure a victory in the match, the incident highlighted a wider societal issue that continues to plague football stadiums. Diego Simeone acknowledged that it is a social problem that needs to be addressed beyond the confines of the stadium.

Ernesto Valverde, the Bilbao coach, described the incident as regrettable and emphasized that it should never happen to any player. He attributed it to a problem of “education” and warned that it is not exclusive to a single stadium.

Koke Resurreción, captain of Atlético Madrid, voiced his support for Nico and condemned the incident of racism. He expressed that such situations have no place in football or society, and called for an end to all forms of abuse on the field.

Koke’s message extended beyond racism, highlighting the need to address all forms of verbal abuse that players endure. He specifically mentioned the vile insults directed at his teammate Álvaro Morata. Koke emphasized that it is time to put an end to these derogatory acts and stand against them.

Showing his usual cautious and temperate demeanor, Rafael Nadal refrained from making exaggerated statements about his victory against Alex de Miñaur. Instead, he emphasized the value of being able to play and compete, especially considering his recent injury concerns. Speaking to the media after the match, Nadal expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of the fans, describing it as both beautiful and exciting. He acknowledged that playing in front of a home crowd held special significance for him, and that the current victory was particularly unforgettable.

Moving on to analyzing the match, Nadal urged against getting carried away by the emotions of a single game. He acknowledged that there were still areas for improvement, emphasizing the need to adjust certain aspects of his game. While he felt competitive during the match, he also acknowledged that there were still limitations due to his recovery process. Nadal highlighted his desire to play the ball more tactically and add more power to his shots. He remained focused on the priority of not encountering any setbacks in the remainder of the tournament.

Regaining confidence is crucial for Nadal, who sees his perspectives and goals shaped by his day-to-day progress. Celebrating his return after a two-week absence from the game, he expressed the importance of building confidence in his body and tennis abilities. With less than a month until Roland Garros, the Grand Slam tournament that holds special significance for Nadal, he acknowledged that his decision to participate would depend on his ability to aspire to something significant. He expressed that the Parisian tournament holds a special place in his heart and that he would only compete if he genuinely believes his body can meet the demands of the best-of-five-set matches. Otherwise, he sees no sense in participating.

There is no one who coughs on Jorge Martín at this start of the MotoGP World Championship. The leader has arrived at the Spanish GP ready to climb to the top of the podium for the first time on a Jerez circuit that has resisted him since his debut in the top category.. For now, his victory in a rugged sprint race means that, at the very least, the Madrid native’s omens are excellent.. As much as those of Pedro Acosta who managed to climb to the second step and who, for now, is also second in the championship. Credentials that are not inconsiderable for a rookie who continues to leave very promising sensations and who has become the most notable emergence of the course.

«This Saturday morning my heart was beating very fast. I don’t know why, I had a kind of anxiety, overwhelm, nerves, but, in the race, I knew how to calm down. When Marc passed me, I saw him quite strong. I tried to push and there was a good chance of finishing second. But, in the end, thanks to having a cool mind and being calm, I achieved victory, so I am very happy. I think that with the average I have worked very well. Let’s hope it’s dry on Sunday and we can demonstrate our pace,” Martín summarized before the DAZN microphones after a sprint race in which up to 15 falls were recorded..

Among them, also that of Marc Márquez who came to lead after taking pole position earlier, number 93 of his career, and who finished seventh. Less luck, in this case, were his brother Álex, Aleix Espargaró, Pecco Bagnaia, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, Marco Bezzecchi, Maverick Viñales, Luca Marini and Stefan Bradl: none of them could reach the checkered flag.

waiting for the sun

The humidity of the track, as Martín highlighted, would be one of the keys to so many incidents. If the weather smiles on him, as he hopes, this Sunday, his chances of taking his first victory in Jerez will multiply exponentially. The start, in which he will face Marc Márquez who is increasingly closer to achieving his long-awaited return to the path of victory and Marco Bezzecchi, could be crucial. And, if he does not achieve victory, managing to at least maintain the position would also be a milestone..

Not in vain, it would mean repeating the third place achieved in 2020, his last year in Moto2 and, so far, his best classification in Jerez. In 2020, precisely, due to the pandemic, this scenario saw two tests, the Spanish GP and the Andalusian GP.. In 2021, meanwhile, he had to miss the test after a tremendous fall in Portimao, until now the third hardest in MotoGP history, in which he broke up to six bones and which forced him to undergo surgery.

It seems more complicated, in this case, that Bagnaia, winner of the last two races in Jerez, can take the opportunity to rejoin the championship. The crash suffered in the sprint race, with two laps completed, and the fact of starting from eighth position make things very complicated for the current champion, who occupies fifth place overall, 42 points behind a Martín willing to not give truce until the end.

What lies ahead for Rafael Nadal? On Saturday, amidst speculation about his farewell to the Madrid Masters 1000 and with the presence of Felipe VI to honor him, the Spaniard once again showcased his fighting spirit to secure a victory against Alex de Miñaur, the tenth seed. This unexpected win earned Nadal a spot in the round of 16, a round where his progress was not initially anticipated. He triumphed in a two-hour and two-minute battle and is set to compete in the round of 32 against Pedro Cachín on Monday. [Narrative and statistics (7-6 [6], 6-3)]

After his win against Darwin Blanch, Nadal had already announced that this tournament would be his last and had predicted he would be surprised by defeating his next opponent, the same man who defeated him last week in the second round of the Conde de Godó. Given this prediction, all preparations were quickly made to bid a fitting farewell to the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, a former world number 1, and a five-time tournament champion.

In an atmosphere reminiscent of a grand final, Nadal defied his own expectations. With his forehand reminiscent of his prime, he battled through a first set lasting one hour and 16 minutes, even conceding the first four set points before ultimately claiming the tiebreaker. The weight of his legendary status was felt by his Australian opponent.

Public support was evident

“Long live Rafa!”, “Long live the King”, “Long live Spain” echoed in an organized manner, with deafening support from a significant portion of the 12,500 spectators who filled the Manolo Santana court, sheltered from the rain by the retractable roof. Unfortunately, the indoor conditions did not favor Nadal, as his tennis thrives in outdoor and sea-level settings.

In his third match since sustaining an injury at the beginning of the year during the Brisbane tournament, Nadal not only focused on improving his physical condition but also exuded a competitive spirit. Encouraged by the crowd, he pursued a victory that could potentially mark a turning point in his preparations for Roland Garros. There is still much ahead of him, including efforts to increase the speed of his serve, which currently does not exceed 190 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, this victory, considering the tough opponent, the significant event, and the manner in which it unfolded, will undoubtedly bolster his morale. Gradually, Nadal is regaining his classic form.

The seasoned devil, Atleti, knows more due to its age rather than its devilish nature. Just like a wise onion who imparts stories of war and trenches to his grandson, Atleti boasts a rich history and experience. However, the grandson, preoccupied with his cell phone, fails to grasp the significance of these tales. Yet, one should pay heed to the wisdom that comes with longevity, as evidenced by Atleti’s remarkable 11-year streak in the Champions League. Victory and a secure fourth place finish are almost assured.

Simeone adopted a strategy reminiscent of trench warfare against Athletic Bilbao, utilizing a defensively compact 5-4-1 formation instead of their usual 5-3-2 setup. Correa supported Molina on the right flank, while Llorente played a similar role on the left. Athletic’s initial attempts, spearheaded by Iñaki Williams, were not entirely successful.

The defensive leaks had to be plugged, and Simeone devised a plan to fortify Atlético’s defense. They had conceded goals in 12 consecutive games, and this 13th goal against them prompted the Argentine manager to employ a more conservative approach. Now Oblak, the Slovenian goalkeeper, would have to turn around and fetch the ball from their own net. This season has been Atlético’s worst defensively since Simeone’s arrival, with 64 goals conceded.

At the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Morata and Griezmann provided the team with goals. However, Morata was on the bench after recovering from the excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia, while Griezmann struggled to find his usual form. In an unintended assist, Griezmann inadvertently set up Iñaki Williams for Athletic’s equalizing goal. The Basque striker took a moment to appreciate the gift before passing it to Guruzeta, who duly drilled the ball past Oblak.

In an act of poetic justice, the youngest Williams sibling pointed to his skin in front of the Frente Atlético stands. Just minutes earlier, he had been subjected to racist chants while preparing to take a corner. This demonstration was a fitting response.

It was unexpected that Nico’s goal would be the equalizer. Atlético, particularly De Paul, had scored the first goal almost unintentionally. While De Paul may face criticism for his mistakes, his commitment and attitude are unparalleled. In just fifteen minutes, he recovered three balls, committed two fouls, received a yellow card, and scored a goal. It may have been fortunate, but it was a well-deserved stroke of luck.

Old Atleti sought to resist the youthful vigor of Athletic Bilbao. It was akin to the youth trying to eradicate the living room couch for a better TV view. Nevertheless, Los Leones proved to be a formidable opponent. Having recovered from their Cup hangover, which resulted in two draws, Valverde’s Athletic once again displayed their trademark speed, dynamism, and dominance.

But Grandpa had a few tricks up his sleeve. Koke, the sole survivor since Simeone’s arrival, provided a well-executed long pass to Correa, who managed to elude Unai Simón and secure the second goal for Atlético. Valverde, using his experience, introduced Muniain and Ander Herrera, two seasoned veterans, to counter Atlético’s old guard. Additionally, Berenger, the player who broke Atlético’s 28-game unbeaten streak at the Metropolitano, was also brought on.

Yet, as previously mentioned, the devil knows more due to its age than its devilish nature. Lino’s shot, following an impressive team play by Atlético, struck the post before ricocheting off Unai Simón and into the net. It was another blow to the lion, sealing the victory for Atlético and bidding farewell to the Bilbao faithful. At least they can take solace in their recent Cup triumph and their revelry continues.