Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: LaLiga – team news, how to follow, stream

Who: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club

What: Spanish LaLiga
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)

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Defending champions Real Madrid are in desperate need of all three points as they entertain Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga.

The Spanish giants’ defence of their Champions League title ended with a defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.

And with Barcelona moving seven points clear at the top of LaLiga with their 4-3 comeback win against Celta Vigo on Saturday, Los Blancos can ill afford to drop points against a team that are proving tough to topple.

What is the latest on Ancelotti’s future?

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has refused to speak about his future with the club after recent reports again linked him with a move to Brazil’s national team.

The veteran Italian manager was asked several times by reporters on Saturday at a pre-game news conference if he would leave the Spanish giant this summer, and each time he responded that he didn’t want to speak about it.

“At the end of the season, we will speak about this with the club,” he said more than once.

The 65-year-old is under contract with Madrid through June 2026.

What has happened to Real Madrid’s season?

Speculation regarding Ancelotti’s career plans once again spiked after Madrid’s exit from the Champions League.

Besides the Copa del Rey, Madrid is still in the fight to defend its LaLiga title and will also play in the Club World Cup this summer.

Brazil have reportedly been after Ancelotti since last year as they seek an elite coach for the 2026 World Cup.

The South Americans fired Dorival Junior as coach last month.

What is Ancelotti’s record as a manager?

Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times — three times with Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) and twice with AC Milan (2003, 2007).

He is also the only coach to have steered teams to domestic league titles in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France.

Who is reportedly lined up to replace Ancelotti?

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso are both considered top candidates to replace Ancelotti should he leave Madrid.

Klopp, however, is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said on Friday.

The German became Red Bull’s global head of football in January, taking care of a stable of clubs, including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil.

Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen’s coach, on Friday refused to shut down speculation he could be set for a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

“It’s not a good time to discuss the future. We’re at a very important moment in the season,” Alonso said.

Leverkusen are six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich with five games remaining.

How are Athletic Club fairing in LaLiga?

Athletic hold fourth spot in the Spanish top flight with 15 wins from 31 games.

No team have lost fewer games than the Bilboa-based club, who have suffered defeat on only four occasions.

Real Madrid team news

Kylian Mbappe is serving a one-game suspension after his red card against Alaves.

Eduardo Camavinga returns from the suspension that ruled him out of the defeat by Arsenal.

Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin have a chance of returning from knocks, but Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are out with knee injuries.

Athletic Club team news

Inaki Williams is likely to remain a sub due to an adductor injury.

This match has probably come too soon for Yuri Berchiche to return from a muscular problem.

Hat-trick for Makinson as Catalans thrash Salford

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Betfred Super League

Catalans (16) 38

Tries: Makinson (3), Sims, Bousquet, Satae, Laguerre Goals: Aispuro-Bichet (5)

Salford (0) 10

Tommy Makinson broke his duck for Catalans Dragons with a hat-trick as they overpowered hapless Salford Red Devils at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Paul Rowley’s troubled Super League outfit, beset by financial troubles and having suffered a player exodus, conceded three tries in a torrid opening 17 minutes.

Makinson was a serial try-scorer in 13 years at St Helens, but had drawn a blank in eight games for the French side going into the game.

He opened the scoring, and with Tariq Sims, Julian Bousquet, Chris Satae and Matthieu Laguerre also going over, Salford’s only aim in the second half was to avoid a huge defeat and the prospect of being nilled in a second consecutive game for the first time in 70 years.

They managed that as Jonny Vaughan and Tiaki Chan went over in the last 11 minutes before Makinson wrapped it all up with his third try.

Those consolation tries ended a run of nearly five hours without a Super League try, and took Salford’s tally for the season to nine in eight games.

Catalans began strongly as they sought their third win on the bounce, and Makinson latched on to Luke Keary’s kick over the top to score, before Keary’s sharp pass sent Sims over. Bousquet added another before Salford had even managed to hold the ball outside their own half.

Rowley has had to piece together a squad from a mix of inexperienced youngsters, loan signings, and the handful of remaining senior professionals, and it showed as their defence was repeatedly poor in that opening spell.

They have also shown plenty of spirit in adversity and rallied again by preventing the Dragons from scoring again in the first half.

The second half threatened to start in the same way as the first as Satae celebrated his 150th career appearance with a try, before Makinson picked the ball up from a scrum and scored after an arcing run round the defence. Minutes later, Laguerre cut through a flagging rearguard.

Salford were staring an unwanted statistic in the face after losing 29-0 at home to Leeds Rhinos last time out, but they showed character to keep going to the end with former Catalans player Chan masterminding Vaughan’s try and adding one of his own before Makinson completed his hat-trick in the closing minute.

Catalans: Aispuro-Bichet; Makinson, Laguerre, Yaha, Darrelatour; Keary, Fages; Pangai Jr, Garcia, Bousquet, Sims, Sironen, Partington.

Interchanges: Da Costa, Satae, Navarrete, Seguier.

Salford: Brierley. Connell, Marsters, Vaughan, Thewlis. Nikorima, Morgan. Ormondroyd, Mellor, Chan, Hellewell, Foster, Wilson.

Interchanges: Shorrocks, Sangare, Makin, G Hill.

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England thrash Scotland to set up Grand Slam decider

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Women’s Six Nations

England (42) 59

Tries: Clifford, Packer, Aldcroft, MacDonald 2, Ward, Davies, Dow 2 Cons: Aitchison 7

Scotland (0) 7

England scored nine tries to hammer Scotland in Leicester and set up a Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.

The victory extends the Red Roses’ winning run to 24 games before a home Rugby World Cup that starts in August.

Prop Kelsey Clifford grabbed the first of six first-half tries, with John Mitchell’s side in complete control right from the opening whistle.

Flanker Marlie Packer was next to cross, followed by captain Zoe Aldcroft, wing Claudia MacDonald and lock Abbie Ward.

Lark Atkin-Davies’s try ensured a 42-0 lead at half-time, a vastly improved margin from last Saturday’s win in Ireland, when England led 7-5 at the break.

Player of the match MacDonald raced clear down the wing for her second try early in the second half, before Lisa Thomson finally got Scotland on the board with a try from a rolling maul.

Wing Abby Dow capped off the scoring, in front of a crowd of 15,530, with a brilliant solo try, before a simple finish in the corner.

The Red Roses are chasing a fourth successive Grand Slam and a seventh Six Nations title in a row.

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England defeated Scotland 46-0 in Edinburgh last year to extend their winning run in the Six Nations over their visitors to 23 games.

Without a win over the Red Roses since 1999 an upset seemed unlikely, especially with Bryan Easson’s side coming into the fixture off the back of a disappointing 25-17 home defeat by Italy.

Clifford, who grabbed her first international try last week, was on hand to power over from close range in a dominant opening period for the hosts.

Mitchell made nine changes from the side that won in Cork, one of which was former England captain Packer, who had not featured since the opening-round win over Italy in York.

She was given a chance to respond to impressive performances from Sadia Kabeya in the seven jersey and did just that, scoring the second try of the match – her 50th for the Red Roses – following a powerful carry from number eight Maddie Feaunati.

Aldcroft replaced Packer as England skipper in January and is the only player to start every game this campaign. The blind-side flanker showed no sign of fatigue as she intercepted Helen Nelson’s pass and galloped clear for her side’s third try.

MacDonald was another player who had not featured since the opening round and after a bright start, the elusive wing cut through the Scotland defence for a deserved try.

MacDonald puts hand up before decider

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MacDonald, who featured in the World Cup final in 2022, missed last year’s Women’s Six Nations after suffering a second neck injury in February 2024.

Saracens’ Jess Breach nailed down the left wing spot in her absence, but MacDonald went up another gear from her return in York, with her high work-rate and footwork causing Scotland problems throughout the game, and was rewarded with a second try.

Dow then paid a reminder to the class on the opposite wing, as she showed terrific strength and balance to run half the pitch and finish off the try of the game.

Scotland’s second-half performance will please Easson after his side managed a first try against England since 2023 and held the hosts to only three scores – two of which came in the closing stages.

Flanker Evie Gallagher, who came into the game with the most turnovers (five) in the competition, was at the heart of slowing down England’s breakdown, producing the kind of display that made the 24-year-old a contender for player of the match.

Three debutants also appeared off the bench as Easson continued to look at new talent before the World Cup.

France’s victory in Italy earlier on Saturday, despite being behind at half-time, meant the slim chance of England winning the title in Leicester evaporated prior to kick-off.

Line-ups

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Shekells, MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Galligan, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Feaunati.

Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Scarratt.

Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson (capt), Mattison; Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Konkel.

Replacements: Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, Phillips Scott.

Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)

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Bayern Close In On Bundesliga Title With Heidenheim Thumping

Harry Kane scored his 24th league goal of the season as Bayern Munich romped to a 4-0 win at Heidenheim on Saturday, moving the German giants ever closer to the Bundesliga title.

Kane joined Konrad Laimer, Kingsley Coman and Joshua Kimmich on the scoresheet.

The victory took Bayern nine points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who play at St Pauli on Sunday.

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Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate German midfielder #45 Aleksandar Pavlovic during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Heidenheim and Bayern Munich in Heidenheim, southern Germany on April 19, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

“It was a very important step towards the title,” Kimmich told Sky Germany.

“We’re now nine points ahead — and Leverkusen have to win. But we’re not really looking at them. We have to win at least two more games to secure the title. ”

Stung by Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final elimination at Inter Milan, Bayern were ruthless. Kane, still seeking a first team trophy of his career, took the ball on the turn and lashed home with 12 minutes gone.

The England captain, who joined Bayern in the summer of 2023, now has 60 goals in his first 60 Bundesliga games.

Seven minutes later, Laimer latched onto a clever Serge Gnabry pass and clipped the ball past Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Mueller.

Coman was on hand to tap in after Mueller saved a shot from Raphael Guerreiro on 36 minutes. Kimmich then cut the ball into the corner from a Guerreiro pass with 56 minutes gone, sealing the result with just his second goal in his 46th game for Bayern this season.

Bayern could clinch what would be their 34th German title as early as next week if results go their way.

Bayern Munich’s English forward #09 Harry Kane (L) and Heidenheim’s German midfielder #05 Benedikt Gimber vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Heidenheim and Bayern Munich in Heidenheim, southern Germany on April 19, 2025. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP)

Eight-goal thriller in Berlin

In Saturday’s late game, Union Berlin guaranteed first-division football for next season in a 4-4 home draw against Stuttgart.

All eight goals were scored in the opening half, the first time in Bundesliga history so many goals had been scored before the break.

Union went two goals up when Andrej Ilic and Diogo Leite scored from set-pieces, but Stuttgart hit back to level at 2-2 through Deniz Undav and Enzo Millot.

Union again hit the lead thanks to a stunning long-range strike from Leopold Querfeld, before Stuttgart’s Jeff Chabot and Chris Fuehrich scored two in three minutes and Ilic struck again in first-half stoppage time to level the scores.

No goals were scored after half-time, meaning the all-time German record of 12 goals in one game remained intact.

RB Leipzig’s top-four hopes took a hit with a 1-1 home draw against last-placed Holstein Kiel.

Japanese striker Shuto Machino put the visitors in front a minute before half-time, with Leipzig equalising from the spot through Benjamin Sesko with 74 minutes gone when Lois Openda was felled in the box.

Openda looked to have scored with a curling, long-range effort with 13 minutes remaining, but the Belgian was flagged for offside.

Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi collided with Kiel’s Steven Skrzybski midway through the second half and was stretchered from the field.

Leipzig’s Malian midfielder #08 Amadou Haidara (C) checks on Leipzig’s Hungarian goalkeeper #01 Peter Gulacsi who is stretchered off after sustaining an injury during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Holstein Kiel in Leipzig, eastern Germany on April 19, 2025. (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP)

Mainz however failed to take advantage of Leipzig’s struggles, drawing 2-2 at home against Wolfsburg despite leading for most of the match.

Wolfsburg veteran Maximilian Arnold gave his side the lead after just three minutes but Mainz wrestled control back with two goals in four first-half minutes through Lee Jae-sung and Dominik Kohr.

Denis Vavro headed Wolfsburg level in the final minute, denting Mainz’s chance of a first-ever Champions League qualification in their history.

Freiburg also boosted their European hopes with a 3-2 win over Hoffenheim, with Lucas Hoeler scoring a brace.

Freiburg sit fifth, a point behind Leipzig and one ahead of Mainz, in sixth.

Werder Bremen beat Bochum 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mitchell Weiser, helping their own European chances while deepening their opponents’ relegation woes.

Bochum, who have beaten Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund this season, sit second to last and are nine points from safety with four games remaining.

Man City Boost Top Five Bid, Southampton Snatch Late Leveller

Manchester City bolstered their bid to qualify for the Champions League with a dramatic 2-0 win at Everton, while Southampton’s last-gasp equaliser at West Ham ensured they will not have sole possession of the lowest points total in Premier League history.

City were heading towards a damaging draw before Nico O’Reilly’s 84th minute strike put them on course for a vital victory that was sealed by Mateo Kovacic’s goal in the final seconds.

Pep Guardiola’s side climb to fourth place, four points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, who face Fulham on Sunday in their game in hand.

Manchester City’s English midfielder #75 Nico O’Reilly celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Fifth-placed Nottingham Forest, who travel to Tottenham on Monday, are one point adrift of City.

At a stage of the season when they are usually embroiled in a battle to win the title, City — champions in six of the previous seven campaigns — have been reduced to scrapping for a Champions League berth after a dismal season.

READ ALSO: Ancelotti To Discuss Real Madrid Future At ‘End Of Season’

They remain on course to achieve their bare minimum target after a hard-fought success on Merseyside.

Manchester City’s English midfielder #75 Nico O’Reilly celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

In the 84th minute, Matheus Nunes’s low cross into the six-yard box was met by the 20-year-old O’Reilly, who got in front of Michael Keane to poke home from close range.

O’Reilly has emerged as an unlikely hero for City after the Manchester-born midfielder scored last week in the win against Crystal Palace and netted twice against Plymouth in the FA Cup.

Kovacic wrapped up City’s victory on their last visit to Goodison Park before Everton move to a new stadium next season.

Manchester City’s Croatian midfielder #08 Mateo Kovacic (R) celebrates with Manchester City’s German midfielder #19 Ilkay Gundogan (L) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

The Croatian guided Ilkay Gundogan’s pass into the bottom corner to give City a third win from their last four league games.

“To win here at Goodison Park, where Liverpool and Arsenal couldn’t, is massively important,” Guardiola said.

“Now it is in our hands. Three games at home, two away and hopefully we can achieve this big success to qualify for the Champions League. ”

Manchester City’s German goalkeeper #18 Stefan Ortega catches the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

– Saints Consolation –

Relegated Southampton rescued a 1-1 draw at West Ham to guarantee they won’t have the indignity of being the lone club with the Premier League’s worst ever points tally.

Jarrod Bowen struck for the Hammers in the 47th minute, holding off Ryan Manning before lashing a fierce finish past Aaron Ramsdale.

But Lesley Ugochukwu equalised three minutes into second half stoppage-time as he lashed past Alphonse Areola.

Bottom of the table Southampton are now on 11 points — the same number Derby managed in 2007-08 — and have five games left to leave the Rams with the lowest total ever recorded in the Premier League.

Brentford beat 10-man Brighton 4-2 to damage the Seagulls’ prospects of qualifying for Europe with their first home win since December.

Thomas Frank’s side took a ninth minute lead when Lewis Keane-Potter’s precise pass through the heart of the Brighton defence picked out Bryan Mbeumo and he confidently slotted home

Danny Welbeck hauled Brighton level in first half stoppage-time with a powerful header from Mats Wieffer’s cross.

Mbeumo restored Brentford’s advantage three minutes after half-time, his strike taking a hefty deflection off Brighton defender Lewis Dunk on its way past Bart Verbruggen.

Yoane Wissa bagged Brentford’s third in the 58th minute, running onto Mbeumo’s pass and finishing with the help of a deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.

Brighton striker Joao Pedro was sent off in the 61st minute for a needless kick at Nathan Collins.

Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma reduced the deficit in the 81st minute, but Christian Norgaard headed home in stoppage-time to end Brighton’s hopes of a late escape.

Crystal Palace held on for a 0-0 draw against Bournemouth despite playing half the match with 10 men.

Palace were reduced to 10 men just before half-time at Selhurst Park when Chris Richards was sent off for a second booking after the defender fouled Justin Kluivert.

Third-placed Newcastle will look to step up their Champions League qualification surge when they travel to Aston Villa in Saturday’s late game.

Inside Freddie Flintoff’s life now after horror crash – PTSD, healed face and new role

In 2022, Freddie Flintoff was involved in a terrifying crash while filming Top Gear that left him with long-lasting facial and mental injuries, with the star vanishing from the public eye

New images from Freddie Flintoff’s crash have been revealed in a documentary(Image: DISNEY/UNPIXS)

Freddie Flintoff has always been known for his television appearances – on the pitch and off. But even for the former England cricket captain and national treasure, the last couple of years have been nothing short of life-changing.

After a terrifying crash while filming Top Gear in 2022, Freddie, now 47, vanished from the public eye. The high-speed accident left him with serious facial injuries and what insiders have described as long-lasting mental scars.

He was airlifted to hospital and took time away from cameras, sparking widespread concern and sympathy from fans and fellow stars. Now, the much-loved all-rounder is finally ready to talk.

READ MORE: Freddie Flintoff didn’t leave his house for 8 months after horror Top Gear crash

Freddie Flintoff
Freddie didn’t leave the house for eight months after the crash

Freddie is set to open up in a deeply personal Disney+ documentary, titled simply Flintoff, airing April 25. The 90-minute special promises a rare, raw glimpse into the emotional toll of his recovery – and the sport that continues to shape his life.

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Freddie will be seen discussing the aftermath of the incident on the Jonathan Ross Show this weekend. The former England cricket captain is a guest on Saturday’s episode of the ITV show alongside Jason Isaacs, Rebel Wilson, David Oyelowo, Sophie Willan and Wet Leg.

“Cricket’s always been a massive part of my life, shaping who I am,” Freddie said on the show. “Looking back on the highs and the lows, including the challenges I’ve faced since my accident, has been a real reminder of why my career in the sport has meant so much. ”

In a trailer for his new documentary, the first pictures from the scene of the crash have been released. Taken on the Top Gear track, snaps show paramedics attending Freddie’s crumbled body next to the car, which skidded completely off the tarmac and onto the grass. A car kitted out with camera equipment had pulled up behind it.

Flintoff crash photo
Medics rushed to help the injured sportsman(Image: Disney+)

In another shot, medics are seen attending to the injured sportsman at the side of the road with tyre skids showing how the three-wheeled open-topped car he was driving had veered catastrophically off track.

He was in the car alongside a crew member and suffered severe facial injuries, which have left him permanently scarred, as well as several broken ribs. Filming was called off “for the foreseeable future” in light of the incident, and Freddie agreed a £9million financial settlement with the BBC.

The documentary will also touch on Freddie’s battle with PTSD, which sources close to him say has been as intense as his physical recovery. For months, he stayed away from public appearances, gradually healing in private and spending time with his family.

When he did finally re-emerge in 2023, fans were moved by the sight of him with visible scarring on his face. This year, Freddie made his long-awaited return to TV in Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour, a heartwarming follow-up to his original BBC series.

The show follows his cricket team of underprivileged lads from Preston as they travel to India, experiencing the game in a country where it’s more religion than sport.

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The Jonathan Ross Show airs Saturday night at 10. 20pm on ITV, ITV, STV and STV Player. Flintoff will be released on streaming platform Disney+ from April 25.

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