La Liga leaders Real Madrid suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at mid-table Athletic Bilbao yesterday after a bullet header from Aritz Aduriz in the first half secured the points.

Aduriz outjumped defender Pepe to power a Mikel Rico cross into the top corner after 26 minutes of a frenetic first-half.

“The game was lost in the first half when Athletic scored and then in the second half we were unable to get back into the match,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.

“It is not a physical problem as in the second half we had a lot of the ball but we were unable to create clear chances.”

Real have taken just one point from their last two games and, although they are two points clear, will be overhauled if Barcelona beat visitors Rayo Vallecano today.

Real were denied time on the ball by Bilbao, who are on a high after booking a place in the King’s Cup final with victory over Espanyol on Wednesday.

Bilbao were unable to maintain the pressure after the break and Real began to dominate possession but the visitors struggled to create openings.

Instead Aduriz came within inches of getting a second goal with another header which hit the outside of the post.

Real forward Gareth Bale almost equalised but hit the post with a spectacular effort seven minutes from time when he lobbed keeper Gorka Iraizoz midway inside the Bilbao half.